Foster sustainability and facilitate transformative change

In today’s evolving forest-related sectors, understanding and integrating gender equality, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) is crucial for fostering sustainability and facilitating transformative change.

This course delves into the pivotal role of GEDI within forest-related sectors, providing insights and practical approaches to fostering an inclusive environment.

Developed under the IUFRO Task Force on Gender Equality in Forestry, this course aims to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to advance gender equality and promote diversity and inclusion in forestry-related fields.

Breaking down the barriers for GEDI in forestry

Explore the concepts of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and their importance in the forestry context.

Examine various global case studies and best practices, illustrating the integration of GEDI principles in forestry.

Learn how to contribute to more sustainable and equitable forest management practices, benefiting ecosystems and communities alike.

Rooting for change in forestry

Gain practical tools and strategies to foster inclusive practices within forest-related sectors.

Discover how to achieve a gender-balanced workplace and cultivate inclusive leadership, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of working life for everyone.

By the course’s end, you’ll have a nuanced understanding of GEDI in the context of forestry.

You’ll possess the knowledge and tools needed to assess and improve GEDI practices within your organisation and sector, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future in forestry.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 10 seconds Do you know that the forestry sector is still dominated by men? And do you know what the consequences are?

Skip to 0 minutes and 21 seconds The forestry sector is based on men’s norms, which creates barriers for women and people of other genders. And what are the consequences?

Skip to 0 minutes and 32 seconds Universities teaching forestry rarely include topics such as gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the curricula.

Skip to 0 minutes and 54 seconds In response to the IFSA Open Letter, we decided to develop this course ForGEDI. And we, we are the Task Force on Gender Equality in Forestry within IUFRO, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. We are a group of world-leading experts, practitioners and researchers on gender equality, diversity and inclusion in forestry and forest-related sectors. We wish you a joyful and eye-opening learning experience.

Syllabus

Week 1
Why is Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Important for the Future of Forest-Related Sectors?
- Introduction
  We share our motivations for developing the ForGEDI course and introduce you to the team of contributors and organisations behind the course content.
- What is Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion?
  You learn about central concepts of gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI), how they are used and what they refer using examples from forestry and forest-related sectors.
- Political Strategies
  You are introduced to political strategies that aim to achieve gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in forest and forest-related sectors.
- Synthesis
  What have you learned in Week 1? What’s in store for for Week2?
Week 2
What are the Barriers to Equal, Diverse and Inclusive Forest-Related Sectors Around the World?
- Experiences from Forest-Related Sectors
  We discuss the barriers to achieving gender equality, diversity, and inclusion for those engaged and working in forest-related sectors. Analyse case studies around the world and contribute with your experiences and perspectives.
- Case Studies on Gender Equality
  Together we examine the work of researchers worldwide who have investigated how certain groups are excluded or disadvantaged in forest-related sectors due to gender.
- Case Studies on Racial and Other Forms of Diversity and Inclusion
  Together we examine the work of researchers around the world who have investigated the various ways in which certain groups are excluded or disadvantaged in forestry and forest-related sectors due race and migration.
- Case Studies on Asserting Your Place
  Together we examine the work of researchers worldwide who have examined how women assert their places within existing social structures, the obstacles they encountered and challenges that remains.
- Synthesis
  What have you learned? What’s in store for next week?
Week 3
How to Reach Equal, Diverse and Inclusive Forest-Related Sectors?
- What Can We Do in Terms of Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Forestry and Forest-related Sectors?
  Inspire and equip yourself with useful tools and resources to promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion through a worldwide portfolio of initiatives and practices.
- Initiatives and Practices on Regional and International Levels
  Explore some of the initiatives and practices at international and regional levels. You will learn about different approaches and tools that challenge the status quo.
- Active Networks and Movements
  Take a look at some of the networks and movements from different regions. Pay attention to the different approaches those initiatives used to challenge the status quo.
- Initiatives and Tools on Community and Grassroots Levels
  Get acquainted with some useful tools and guides used on organisational, local and community levels. Spot the details and reflect on various tools and resources applicable based on your own context.
- Synthesis
  Wrapping-up and how was your learning journey with us?

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Classify basic concepts related to gender equality, diversity and inclusion
Summarise how gender equality has developed over time
Apply concepts to analyse and assess gender equality, diversity and inclusion in different contexts
Evaluate organizational practices regarding gender equality, diversity and inclusion and develop transformative actions

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for students, educators and professionals in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management and related fields seeking to integrate GEDI strategies in forestry practices for sustainable and inclusive futures.

Who will you learn with?

Laura Secco

I am Associate Professor at TESAF Dept., School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Padova. My fields of expertise are social innovation evaluation, rural development, forest policy & governance.

Ida Wallin

Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Trained forester, turned policy scholar. “Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” - John Dewey

Stephen Wyatt

Professor at the School of Forestry, Université de Moncton at Edmundston, New Brunswick.
Motivated by Jack Westoby who said "Forestry is not about trees, it is about people".

John Boakye-Danquah

Julieta Mazzola

Todora Rogelja

Dr. Todora Rogelja holds a Ph.D. in forest governance and works
as a researcher at the University of Padova (Italy). She is a Week 3 coordinator of ForGEDI. Her work focuses on policies and actors.

Vera Steinberg

Vera is working as a policy advisor for the Liaison Unit Bonn, the international secretariat of FOREST EUROPE. Here, she is responsible for the Work Stream on Green Jobs and Forest Education

Michela Zanetti

Associate Professor at TESAF Dept. of University of Padova. Her fields of expertise are wood technology and environmental sustainability. She is interested in social justice and green care.

Who developed the course?

University of Padova

The University of Padova is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious seats of learning; it aims to provide its students with both professional training and a solid cultural background.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life.

Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden.

Université de Moncton

The Université de Moncton is the largest french-speaking university in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, but also welcomes students from around the world. The École de foresterie is situated at the Edmundston campus, in the heart of New Brunswick’s forestry region.

A four-year Bachelors degree prepares graduates for professional practice anywhere in Canada and a Masters program provides for research in forest management, human dimensions, geomatics and other fields.

IUFRO

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) is a non-profit and non-governmental worldwide network of forest scientists working together voluntarily to enhance the understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and trees. IUFRO unites over 15,000 scientists in more than 630 member organizations in 115 countries and is a member of the International Science Council. This course was developed under the IUFRO Task Force on Gender Equality in Forestry.

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What's included?

University of Padova are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

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Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Forestry-related Sectors (ForGEDI)

Foster sustainability and facilitate transformative change

Breaking down the barriers for GEDI in forestry

Rooting for change in forestry

Syllabus

Week 1

Why is Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Important for the Future of Forest-Related Sectors?

Introduction

What is Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion?

Political Strategies

Synthesis

Week 2

What are the Barriers to Equal, Diverse and Inclusive Forest-Related Sectors Around the World?

Experiences from Forest-Related Sectors

Case Studies on Gender Equality

Case Studies on Racial and Other Forms of Diversity and Inclusion

Case Studies on Asserting Your Place

Synthesis

Week 3

How to Reach Equal, Diverse and Inclusive Forest-Related Sectors?

What Can We Do in Terms of Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Forestry and Forest-related Sectors?

Initiatives and Practices on Regional and International Levels

Active Networks and Movements

Initiatives and Tools on Community and Grassroots Levels

Synthesis

When would you like to start?

Learning on this course

What will you achieve?

Who is the course for?

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

University of Padova

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

Université de Moncton

IUFRO

Endorsers and supporters

What's included?

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Join a global classroom

Map your progress

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

More courses you might like

Chemical Engineering: Shaping a Sustainable Future

Ecology and Wildlife Conservation

Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You

Find the right course for you

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