AFoCO Regional Education and Training Center (RETC)
Building capacities and developing experts in the field of forestry in AFoCO member countries
through education and training programs while promoting the sharing of knowledge and experiences
The AFoCO Regional Education and Training Center (RETC) was established as a subsidiary organ of AFoCO to develop the capacities of member countries to deal with forestry and related environmental issues. The RETC also represents the project outcome of Component 1 of the Landmark Program. Training courses and workshops are conducted regularly for government officials from member countries, university students, and members of local communities.
As the capacity building arm of AFoCO, the RETC aims to
- educate and develop leaders to practice good governance in the forestry sector;
- provide practical and problem-solving oriented education programs to improve and promote sustainable forest management;
- enhance knowledge and practices to promote sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, and;
- serve as a hub for meaningful discourses and the implementation of customized forest restoration and rehabilitation models in Asia.
To date, more than 2000 trainees have benefitted from the training courses implemented under the Landmark Program. In the coming years, the AFoCO RETC will function as an important platform to share knowledge and experiences in the forestry sector and empower member countries to deal with pressing regional forestry issues and achieve global and regional forestry objectives through joint efforts.
Training Courses
The AFoCO RETC organized various types of training courses on a regular basis to cater to poly makers, technical-level officials, researchers, university students, members of local communities , and the general publlic. aimed at enhancing knowledge and understanding of forest management and enhancing access to advanced technologies are organized every year. In line with AFoCO’s Strategic Priorities, the AFoCO RETC runs regular training courses based on three core training topics:
- Forest Rehabilitation & Reforestation
Seed harvesting, seed storage & supply, nursery management, tree plantation, community participation, food security & gender issues - Forest Fire Management
International trends, fire safety & behavior, fire prevention & suppression, fire inspection, fire information systems, drone technology - Community-based Forest Management
Economical accounting, forest assessment & monitoring, forest resources management, forest-related enterprise development
The RETC also offers community courses as well as customized courses as well as to cater to policymakers, technical-level officials, researchers, university students, local communities, and the general public.