Bi-monthly Report (March-April)
Internal Department
Communication Commission
Accomplished Plans for the Period
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IDF 2023 Essay & Photography Competition
IFSA organized the International Day of Forest (IDF) Essay & Photography Competition to celebrate the International Day of Forests on the 21st of March 2023, with the theme “Forests and Health.” The competition aimed to commemorate the Internation. The event provided a platform for IFSA members to showcase their artistic skills and passion for forest conservation.
The event is in collaboration with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the European Forest Institute (EFI) who reviewed the submissions, along with the Internal Councilor (Isabelle Claire), Head of Communication Commission (Desita Ao), Head of Publication Sub-Commission (Yeji Lee), and Treasurer Commissioner (Jonas Sitte).
Essay Category Winners
The essay category winners showcased exceptional creativity and a deep understanding of the theme. The winners are as follows:
- 1st Place: Jovy Danganan – ‘Grow a seed for the life you long to live’
- 2nd Place: Chloe Abayao – ‘Succession’
- 3rd Place: Lucky Valentino – “The forest is almost like a hospital for the healing process and better health recovery”
- People’s Favorite: Tri Nadia Asrini – ‘Forest for Mental Health’
Photography Category Winner
The photography category winner captured the essence of the theme and demonstrated a strong connection between healthy forests and a healthy life:
- 1st Place: Suyog Neupane – ‘Healthy Forests, Healthy Life’
The winners’ outstanding contributions highlighted the importance of forests in sustaining our health and the environment. To see the winners’ submissions, visit this link.
We appreciate the enthusiastic participation of all the contestants and extend our thanks to the organizing committee and judging panel for their dedicated efforts. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone involved in making the competition successful! Let’s continue our collective efforts to promote awareness and conservation of our precious forests.
2. Monthly Communication Hangout
During March and April, the Commcomms team successfully conducted two monthly meetings. The March meeting took place on March 11, 2023, focusing on updates from IDM and Interim, IDF competition preparations, and other agenda items. The meeting started with introductions and icebreaker questions, followed by reports from various sub-commissions such as TreeHouse SC, Discord SC, Design SC, and Publication SC. The team discussed progress, upcoming activities, and collaborations with other teams. Additionally, preparations for the IDF competition and social media promotions were emphasized.
In April, the team gathered for the Monthly Hangout on April 9, 2023. The meeting featured a work progress report, updates from different sub-commissions, including Discord, TreE House, Web, News Factory updates, and discussions about upcoming events and initiatives. These meetings provided a platform for Commcomms members to share updates, address challenges, and plan for future projects, fostering a productive and cohesive working environment.
Publication
Revision & Collaboration with Authors
HoSC Publication collaborates with authors on writing good-quality articles and event reports. HoSC Publication reviews all the news requests and gives them feedback on improvement before publishing them on the website.
Publication Encouragement
HoSC Publication monitors ongoing events and encourages people to submit event reports such as The 34th Forest Versatility Competition Report – IFSA. HoSC Publication added the section called ‘Editor’s Pick’ to the newsletter and introduced one article wriPick by an IFSA member. Check it out here: April 2023 | Full of interesting event reports! 📖 (mailchi.mp)
Newsletter Subscribers Increase
Our subscribers have increased from 1,084 in October 2022 to 1,449 in May 2023. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! The May newsletter is coming soon, so in the meantime, you can find the previous newsletters here.
Ongoing/Upcoming Tasks in the Sub-Commission
The HoSC Publication plans to add upcoming external events calendar (including delegation events, partners’ events, etc.) in the newsletter.
Social Media
Accomplished Plans for the Period
The Sub-commission, during March and April, participated in the planning and conducting of several events, mostly in collaboration with the External Department and IFSA partners.
During March, the HoSC Social Media assisted the delegates for the UN Water Conference by posting stories from the event. Aside from this, the HoSC also helped the delegates share their experience from the International Symposium held in India. In celebration of the International Day of Forests in March, the HoSC helped create a social media campaign to celebrate the IDF.
In April, the SC helped with the IDF Essay and Photography contest. The SC was able to share different opportunities for IFSA members, including the IUFRO internship, delegations, and many more. Aside from this, the SC also posted bi-monthly and delegation reports to keep other members updated on what IFSA is currently working on. Also, the promotion of the Job Fair 2023 started this month.
Meetings held during the monthly period
The HoSC met with the External Department to coordinate any campaigns done by the partners and create posts for the social media campaigns. Aside from this, the HoSC also met with the delegates for the IUFRO Board meeting, UN-Water Conference 2023, and International Symposium 2023 to discuss with them how they can utilize the SM accounts of IFSA in sharing about the events they attended.
Discord
Discord events
During the bimester, several activities were carried out within the commission, which was the creation of several channels ‘forestry-landscape-photos📷🌲🏔, ‘, ’exploring-the-ifsa-sky-photos🌦🌤🌅📸’ and an internaional movie night where we screened “Coco” movie.
If you have not visited our new channels, we invite you to interact with them and have a good time. Join our IFSA server as well if you haven’t already so you can join our upcoming events!
Discord Giveaway
The Discord SC is also in the process of planning the giveaway in celebration of reaching 1000 Subscribers on the IFSA server. More details regarding this activity will be shared soon, so stay tuned!
Web
Changing the hosting service for the IFSA website
We are pleased to announce the successful migration of our website to a new server, utilizing Kinsta as our hosting provider. The migration process was executed smoothly, ensuring minimal disruption to our online presence. Our technical team handled the transfer of all website files, databases, and configurations, while closely monitoring the website’s performance to ensure a seamless transition. This infrastructure upgrade positions us for a more stable, secure, and high-performing online platform.
If you have any concerns, suggestions, or complaints regarding the IFSA website, please do not hesitate to contact web@ifsa.net or communication@ifsa.net.
Design
Accomplished Plans for the Period
During the designated period, the Design Sub-Commission successfully contributed to several IFSA events, notably including the IDF Competition and the creation of the Cultural Competencies certificate, and many others. These accomplishments highlight the team’s commitment and expertise in delivering high-quality design work.
TreeHouse
Sub-Commission Meeting
The sub-commission meeting took place on April 2nd and was attended by Eylül, Head of the Sub-Commission for TreeHouse; and Ao, Head of Communication Commission. The meeting covered the development and maintenance of the TreeHouse webpage, where improvements to the web page’s structure, design template, and the possibility of hiring a web designer were discussed.
Meetings held during the monthly period
- Tree-Culture Meetings
The first Tree-Culture meeting was held on March 1st, with Eylül, Head of the TreeHouse Sub-Commission, and Wening, Head of the Cultural Competencies Sub-Commission in attendance. The meeting focused on defining the structure of the Tree-Culture module and exploring collaboration opportunities with the Membership Department and other Heads of Sub-Commissions.
The second Tree-Culture meeting took place on April 9th, where the following points were discussed: Establishing collaboration with Local Communities through their regional representatives, encouraging active participation from Local Communities, and promoting the involvement of Local Communities by coordinating with the Discord Head of Sub-Commission.
2. TreeHouse Web Page Meeting
On March 5th, the TreeHouse Web Page meeting was held with Eylül and Mukhtar, Head of Web Sub-Commission.
The meeting covered the evaluation of the structure of the TreeHouse webpage, consideration of design templates for the web page, and discussion of the potential hiring of a web designer.
Ongoing Tasks in the TreeHouse Sub-Commission
The sub-commission is currently engaged in the following tasks: Developing and maintaining the TreeHouse webpage, progressing the TreeCulture Project, and promoting TreeHouse materials.
Podcast
Accomplished Plans for the Period
In this bi-monthly period, the HoSC Podcast developed a captivating concept note for the initial two episodes of the podcast series.
The first episode of the Canopy Conversation series was also successfully recorded and released, which featured the current External Councilor, Volodymyr Kravets, as he discussed his experience as a representative of IFSA at the COP27 in Egypt last November 2022. The first episode of the podcast series is ranked #5 on Anchor.fm and played 63 times on all platforms. The episode can be found at Anchor.fm and Spotify. The second episode can be anticipated during the first week of June, so stay tuned!
Meetings held during the monthly period
During the last held SC meeting, we discussed the progress on the first episode of the Canopy Conversation series and the updates and discussion on its second episode.
During the meeting, the length of each episode was evaluated, whether it must be shorter or longer. Aside from the episode’s host, another person must also be involved to help with the discussion considering the time by setting a time limit per topic or reducing the number of topics discussed during the episode. It was also discussed that the second episode must be more dynamic and entertaining and better promoted on all of our social media platforms through reels or posts. Therefore, collaboration with the HoSC Social Media and Design is necessary to achieve this goal.
Overall, the IFSA podcast is doing well, and we are excited to record and publish the second episode.
Ongoing Tasks in the Sub-Commission
The HoSC Podcast is recording the next episodes and strategizing an exciting live podcast event during the IFSS 2023 in Germany in collaboration with the IFSS 2023 OC.
Capacity Development Commission
Accomplished Plans for the Period
Carbon & Sustainability
During March and April, the sub-commission work was directed mainly to two projects: IFSA Sustainability Strategy and IFSA Trips Carbon Emissions Assessment.
IFSA Sustainability Strategy
A meeting was held with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Sustainability Department. As they are pioneers in Latin America on sustainable guidelines and carbon footprint assessment and have developed their sustainability strategy, we asked for their help on that matter, as well as recommendations and advice. We talked about establishing a transparent and open previous process to collect the region’s different points of view, what chapters we should have on the document, how to collect data, etc.
For that matter, a meeting with the IFSS 2023 OC was programmed to have space during the symposium for everyone to share their ideas, needs, and worries about the strategy.
IFSA Trips Carbon Emissions Assessment
Data has been collected from trips that occurred during the second semester of 2022, but some information about how many events were held is missing. However, it was possible to collect data from trips made for Interim, and there have been efforts to get Regional Meetings participants’ contacts to share the Trips Carbon Emissions Assessment Form. At the moment, APRM and NERM participants are being reached out. As the regional meetings happen, attendees will be contacted.
Cultural Competencies
What Makes Your Forest Unique? Book
On 10 March 2023, the Cultural Competencies HoSC (HoSC CC)sent an invitation to all of WMYFU? Book Authors to have a summit to discuss more about the book arrangement. The discussion was facilitated on the 12th of March, 2023.
On the 10th of April, 2023, the HoSC sent an email to the IFSA Board to coordinate with the IFSS OC regarding the dissemination of the book during IFSS. With the help of the Treasurer, a meeting was held on the 25th of April, 2023, where it was decided that we would look for donors to fund this book project. David Andermhr (IFSS OC member) also helped to shape the book by making a factsheet about forests that will be placed descriptively and graphically on the early pages of the sub-book.
Tree Culture
Apart from what was shared previously, the HoSC CC and HoSC TreeHouse requested all Regional Representatives, Forestry Education and Mentorship HoSC, and Language HoSC for collaboration proposals for this project. LC members were also messaged whether they could help with writing the article, with which we successfully garnered 15 volunteers.
Cultural Days
On the 20th of March 2023, IFSA LC FRI Only India is present between March to April. The event was held on 20 March 2023, with the panelists coming from IFSA LC FRI. The speakers were Kalash Kumari, Ashlisha Tanwar, and Spandan Gupta.
Other updates
The HoSC CC was invited to speak about the experiences working in IFSA by Kamana Poudel (Regional Representative from North America) for the IFSA Canada-American Regional Meeting on the 26th of March, 2023.
CC HoSC was also taking part in the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2023 on the 29th of March 2023 as a moderator together with Vedant Shukla from the International Federation of Medical Students Association and as a moderator at the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2023 as a moderator.
TreE-Learning
Ongoing Tasks in the Sub-Commission
The HoSC TreE-Learning is still looking for a new commissioner since no applications have been submitted yet. If you are interested in this position, go to this link for more information.
Gender
Accomplished Plans for the Period
One of the biggest accomplishments was the submission of an abstract to the IUFRO 2024 World Congress and the session “T5.14, Gender Equality in Forestry: Past, Present and Future”, which we are co-organizing.
Meetings held during the monthly period
We have been continuously holding our bi-monthly meetings to regularly update each other on the progress and next steps to be taken.
Ongoing Tasks in the Sub-Commission
We have been working on a webinar series, following up with TreE-Learning, and brainstorming about individual tasks. One of the bigger projects and tasks is the involvement of IFSA, i.e., the Gender Sub-Commission, in a Massive Open Online Class (MOOC) on Gender Equality and Diversity in forest-related sectors.
Language
In the last two months, Language Sub-Commission has successfully held all the programs of Language School:
Spanish-English School 2023
In the third week of March, the Spanish-English School ended the last meeting of the school. The Language School Team has sent all participants the final evaluation form. Unfortunately, only a few participants fill in the evaluation form, but on the other hand, we only get positive feedback and great experiences from participants.
German-English School 2023
We started the German-English School through the First Gathering, which was held on March 25, 2023. Similar to the Spanish School’s first Gathering, we also meet with all participants to give a brief introduction to German School itself. From that meeting, all participants are enthusiastic about the school, strengthening the intercontinental bonding. German School differs from Spanish School because the participants were divided into several groups. The language School Team, consisting of Language HoSC and two Language Commissioners: Cynthia Gamboa and Elif Dübüş, were monitoring by joining the WhatsApp Group of all groups. All groups were having a dynamic and active conversation. A few groups finished their school at the end of April and early May.
Since Spanish School is completed, Language School Team is ready to give a farewell message by sending the participation e-certificates.
Forestry Education and Mentorship
Accomplished Plans for the Period
In this bi-monthly period, the HoSC Forestry Education and Mentorship was able to build a database with online courses focusing on forestry education which will be disseminated through email and announcements during Coffee Hours.
The SC is also planning the Mentoring Program, which involves contacting the HoSCs Web, Design, and Social Media, and meeting with the External Department to discuss the possibility of getting mentors from our partners.
Fundraising
Due to limited capacities caused by loads of work for the IFSS 2023, the Fundraising SC was not able to progress with its work plan. With the changing restrictions of grants, our goal is to acquire funding, especially for people from the global south to participate in international events, so we want to focus more on supporting our members in individual fundraising. We want to get in touch with people who already did this for the last IFSS in Chile and benefit from their experience.
Funding for IUFRO World Congress 2024
We got together with Benjamín Navarro (the IUFRO Commissioner and OC member of the IFSA Delegation for the IUFRO World Congress) to discuss collaboration to initiate funding for delegates via individual fundraising. We are planning to meet with people with experience in individual fundraising to get an overview of the funding possibilities of each region.
Potential Partnerships
Together with, Agustin Rosello, we discussed a potential partnership with an Australian organization that was interested in cooperation with IFSA. We discussed possible services IFSA could provide for income and build up a long-term relationship. With this, our sub-commission’s next step would be to get in touch with the RRs to implement a survey, potentially with the question “Which companies would be relevant for individual fundraising?”.
Joint IFSA-IUFRO Task Force
Ongoing Tasks in the Sub-Commission
The IFSA-IUFRO JTF is collaborating with IUFRO for the Best Practices Publication which is a competition to identify innovative forest practices around the world.
The first open call will be in June, which will run until November. Winners of this competition who will get the chance to win tickets to the IUFRO World Congress 2024 will be announced sometime in February 2024.
In addition to this, JTF is also working on a research project and symposium in Finland. which will be held in August 2023. More details regarding this will be shared soon!
Plans for the next bimonthly period
Virtual Job Fair 2023
We are excited to announce that the 2023 IFSA Virtual Job Fair, themed “Transcending Regional Boundaries,” will take place on May 27, 2023, at 2:00 PM (UTC+0). This year’s event aims to connect aspiring professionals with esteemed organizations and companies from various regions around the world.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to interact with representatives from the following regions and organizations:
- Asia Pacific: RECOFTC (Thailand), PFOlsen (Australia), Forest Products Commission (Australia), and HVP Plantations (Australia)
- Africa: Environmental Conservation Network and Bôndy International (Madagascar)
- Latin America: Reforestamos (Mexico) and Maderacre (Peru)
- Europe: Connecting Natural Values and People/CNVP (North Macedonia), European Forest Institute (Finland), and Forest Stewardship Council
In addition to the networking opportunities, the job fair will also feature plenary sessions, providing valuable insights and information. To participate in this exciting event, make sure to register at bit.ly/IFSAJobFair23 or by scanning the provided QR Code.
See you there! 
