INTRODUCTION

Peatland management in Southeast Asia and elsewhere is at a critical juncture. These ecosystems are the focus of conflicting interests: restoration of wetlands vs. agricultural developments; biodiversity conservation vs. forest harvesting; climate change carbon sinks vs. sources; sustaining rural livelihoods vs. new regional developments; global strategies vs. local actions; etc.

Effective conservation of peatland resources requires new approaches and new ways of understanding these resources. Communities, regions and nations are challenged to work differently to achieve diverse goals based on encompassing values attached to livelihoods, biodiversity, habitats and human health.

AN INVITATION

You are invited to attend this international workshop on Sustaining Peatland Resources: Setting a Course for Wise Use. The Climate Change, Forests and Peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI) project that has been implementing direct livelihood, rehabilitation and conservation activities in Central Kalimantan, Jambi and South Sumatra, Indonesia for the past three and a half years years. These activities have been complimented by national level interventions, and support for the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Peatland Management Initiative. In recognition of the importance of peatlands in storing carbon, and the climate change implication of activities which result in release of that carbon, project results have been used to influence international climate change negotiations. Results and lessons learned from the CCFPI project will serve as the cornerstone of the workshop, and will be complimented by input from the Southeast Asian region and other countries in order to determine priority issues for tropical peatlands and future directions.

Invitations for the workshop are being distributed to representatives of a variety of sectors, including local and national governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, and international agencies. It is anticipated that approximately 150 participants will attend the workshop. The workshop will be conducted in the English and Indonesian.

WORKSHOP VENUE AND DATES

Venue : Bogor, Indonesia
Dates : July 5th – 7th *)

Field Trip:

The workshop will be followed by an optional field trip to either Mentangai sub-district, Central Kalimantan; Berbak National Park, Jambi or Merang – Kepahyang Peatswamp Forest, South Sumatra. The date and destination of field trip will be announced later.

Postponed until February or March 2006

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this international workshop are to facilitate a consensus and definition of new directions for tropical peatland conservation over the next decade. With respect to peatlands, the workshop will:

• Provide a forum for stakeholders and groups to share experiences
• Promote best management practices and standards for sustainable use of peat
• Assess experience and make recommendations relating to community participation in peatland management
• Review the role of peatlands in the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

Development of a mechanism to facilitate integration of on-going and planned activities in peatlands in Indonesia Recommendations from this workshop will be compiled through facilitated working sessions. Proceedings will be distributed to participants and other interested parties.

You are encouraged to bring additional information or background papers on peatlands conservation achievements for distribution at the workshop.


AGENDA OVERVIEW

The workshop will be a combination of plenary and breakout sessions, as outlined below.

1. Opening ceremony
2. Opening plenary
   • Results of the Climate Change, Forests and Peatlands in Indonesia Project
   • Critical Issues at the Regional and Global Levels
   • Government of Indonesia Perspectives: Past, Present and Future
   • Status and Trends of Peatlands in Indonesia
   • Community Perspective
3. Breakout sessions
   • Best management practices and standards for sustainable use
   • Community participation
   • Peatlands and climate change
   • Mechanism to ensure integration of peatland activities, and links to policy at the local, national and global levels
4. Report back of recommendations to plenary from breakout sessions

WORKSHOP ORGANISER

The workshop is organised by Wetlands International – Indonesia Programme, Wildlife Habitat Canada and Global Environment Centre. Funding is provided by Canadian International Development Agency through Climate Change, Forests and Peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI) Project.

REGISTRATION

There will be a registration cost to cover food and accomodation. The amount of registration fee as well as the cost for optional field trip (including airfare, ground transport, food and accomodation) will be announced later.

Note that a reduced registration fee may be available to participants from southern countries.

Please indicate your interest in attending the workshop by completing the attached form and sending it to:

Yus Rusila Noor
Project Coordinator Climate Change, Forests and Peatlands in Indonesia (CCFPI)
Wetlands International - Indonesia Programme/Wildlife Habitat Canada
Jl. A. Yani 53 - Bogor 16161 - INDONESIA
Phone : +62-251-312189; Fax : +62-251-325755
E-mail : co_ccfpi@wetlands.or.id