Advancing Restoration Education Across Asia to Bridge Skills Gap
As global commitments under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration accelerate, a significant gap has emerged between ambitious policy goals and the practical skills of professionals tasked with implementation. A capacity needs assessment by the FAO revealed that while Asian university curricula cover technical ecological subjects, they often lack training in critical human dimensions such as community engagement, governance, and socio-economic inclusion. To address this, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) expanded its Restoration Education initiative from Africa to Asia in early 2025. Partnering with the Global Landscapes Forum and the International Model Forest Network, the program aims to transform landscape restoration education by embedding interdisciplinary thinking into academic programs. The initiative has established a network of 14 universities across ten Asian countries, including Indonesia, India, and Vietnam. By focusing on participatory methods and adaptive management, the project seeks to equip the next generation of practitioners with the necessary tools to lead ecologically sound and socially grounded restoration efforts, ensuring that global pledges translate into effective on-the-ground action.
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Advancing Restoration Education Across Asia to Bridge Skills Gap
As global commitments under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration accelerate, a significant gap has emerged between ambitious policy goals and the practical skills of professionals tasked with implementation. A capacity needs assessment by the FAO revealed that while Asian university curricula cover technical ecological subjects, they often lack training in critical human dimensions such as community engagement, governance, and socio-economic inclusion. To address this, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) expanded its Restoration Education initiative from Africa to Asia in early 2025. Partnering with the Global Landscapes Forum and the International Model Forest Network, the program aims to transform landscape restoration education by embedding interdisciplinary thinking into academic programs. The initiative has established a network of 14 universities across ten Asian countries, including Indonesia, India, and Vietnam. By focusing on participatory methods and adaptive management, the project seeks to equip the next generation of practitioners with the necessary tools to lead ecologically sound and socially grounded restoration efforts, ensuring that global pledges translate into effective on-the-ground action.
CIFOR-ICRAF Forests News