SVBC Sri Lanka Communications Strategy

SVBC Sri Lanka Communications Strategy Prepared by Sarah Wintle, IUCN ARO

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International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

COMMUNICATIONS

STRATEGY

Global Forest Governance Project: Strengthening Voices for

Better Choices

SRI LANKA

Prepared by:

Sarah Wintle – ELG Communications Officer

Version date: 14 September 2006


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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….p 3 Situational Analysis……………………………………………………………………..............p 4-6

- Background on Strengthening Voices for Better Choices - Context

Communication Objectives…………………………………………………………………….p 7 SWOT analysis………………………………………………………………………………… p 8-11

- Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project - Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project partners

Issues Matrix……………………………………………………………………………………p 12 External Audience Analysis……………………………………………………………………p 13 P.I.N Analysis……………………………………………………………………………………p 14-18 Communication Tools…………………………………………………………………………..p 19-22 Special purpose forest governance website………………………………………………....p 23-24 Stakeholder Engagement Plan………………………………………………………………..p 25-31 Implementation………………………………………………………………………………….p 31-34 Internal Communication………………………………………………………………………..p 35 Linking to the Global Strategy…………………………………………………………………p 35 Knowledge Management………………………………………………………………………p 36 Monitoring and Evaluation……………………………………………………………………..p 37 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….p 37-38 Contacts………………………………………………………………………………………….p 38 Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………p 38


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INTRODUCTION The process of developing a communications strategy for the Global Forest Project: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) in Sri Lanka came about by combining the capacity building terms of reference of an AusAID funded position – ELG Communications Officer – within the World Conservation Union (IUCN) with the communication requirements of the SVBC project. Sarah Wintle, ELG Communications Officer, visited Sri Lanka to work with Shantha K. Hennayake, National Project Coordinator (NPC), from 5-9 June 2006. Visiting the project’s pilot site area, meeting with proposed project partners and collaborating on communications back in Colombo enabled this document to take shape. Sarah and Shantha were joined in the field by Ramila Senanayake, an IUCN Sri Lanka intern. A similar process was conducted in Viet Nam in April 2006. This communications strategy is a work-in-progress and envisaged as being a type of blueprint for the project, a referral point to guide and steer project communications in the next 12 months. What steps were involved in the communications strategy process? A Situational Analysis helps set the scene. Why did this project come to exist in Sri Lanka? What are the issues now? What makes Sri Lanka different from other countries trying to deal with forest governance? This type of analysis is followed by an overview of the Communication Objectives the project will target. A look at the project’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (S.W.O.T) is a realistic overview of the areas the project can leverage, and the potential threats. This kind of assessment is worthwhile to match communication outcomes with the situation at hand. Similarly, project partners are also assessed from a S.W.O.T point-of-view. Issues mapping was conducted to define the main issues that are relevant to communication efforts. External audiences were mapped in an External Audience Analysis. This involved a detailed discussion about where the various stakeholders – each with their own interests and agendas – fit in terms of the IUCN project. Audiences were divided into groups of High/Low Stakeholder concern and Highly/Not Critical to our success. Furthering this analysis, an examination of the Positions, Interests and Needs (P.I.N) for High Priority Stakeholders was carried out. Based on internal understanding, the NPC and Communications Officers looked at what are the real motivations and wants behind the organizations and people that will make a difference to the project’s outcomes. The aim was to find common ground between IUCN and these Stakeholders from which communications initiatives can start to create behavioural and attitudinal change. The pros and cons of a range of Communications Tools were discussed and feedback on the merits and likelihood of implementation for each is included in this document. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan goes through each of the stakeholders and identifies the objectives, possible engagement methods/communication tools and sample messages. In itself, this is a plan for Implementation. A section on Monitoring and Evaluation has also been included. This is often overlooked but it is important to report on communication in terms of tangible outputs and real change. Communication successes, and failures, can provide valuable lessons for similar undertakings in the future.


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SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS Background on Strengthening Voices for Better Choices The Global Forest Governance Project: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) aims to enable and actively implement forest governance arrangements that facilitate and promote sustainable and equitable forest conservation and management in three continents with a focus on the following six countries: Brazil (South America), Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa), Ghana (West Africa), Tanzania (East Africa), Viet Nam (Southeast Asia) and Sri Lanka (South Asia). The project allows IUCN to work across different scales (field and landscape level, national, regional and global levels) with a particular emphasis on: • Supporting the translation of regional resolutions (e.g. actions adopted during the regional Interministerial FLEG conferences) into concrete actions at the national level and at the field and landscape levels. The project will pilot innovative approaches to improve forest governance through community forestry, forest landscape restoration and improved concession management; • Promoting national level actions to take into account field level realities and ensuring that the impacts of national policies in the field are being assessed; • Supporting cross-regional sharing and dissemination of information and lessons. The project was formulated in response to a call for proposals by the European Commission (EC) to assist the implementation of the EC’s own “Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade” (FLEGT) Action Plan. The project will support the implementation of the Action Plan through capacity building, awareness raising about FLEG and piloting innovative governance approaches. The project will also contribute, as appropriate, to the development and testing of specific new mechanisms proposed in the Action Plan, such as the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) between timber producing countries and the EU. Throughout its activities, the project seeks to engage the active support of government, civil society and the private sector to promote the “tri-partite” approach for forest governance reform, as described above. Furthermore, a variety of local, national and regional partners will be involved to support field sites, facilitate capacity building and operationalise FLEG in each country. In Sri Lanka, the project will work to facilitate the development of Joint Forest Management (JFM) approaches through facilitating tri-partite dialogue and negotiations between communities, forest managers and private entrepreneurs in and around the Knuckles Forest Range, a biodiversity rich area. The project runs for four years from 1 February 2005 to 31 January 2009.


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Context Setting the scene of forest governance in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, with an area of about 6.5 million ha, is a small tropical island and is recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Much of the country’s biodiversity is found in its forests. At present the dense natural forests covers 23.9% of the land area and the total forest cover including the sparse forests represents about 30.9% of the land. Sri Lanka is one of few countries to have allocated considerable land – 14% – as “protected areas” and yet, forests and biodiversity within these protected areas are still vulnerable to external pressures. The SVBC project is intended to demonstrate a way forward on forest resource use, management and control.

Forests and their management in Sri Lanka today are covered by the policy stipulated by the Forestry Sector Master Plan of 1995. The Forest Policy document outlined the rationale for the policy as follows.

“The policy acknowledges that the natural forests are heavily depleted, and expresses concern for safeguarding the remaining natural forests for posterity in order to conserve biodiversity, soil and water resources. It emphasizes the importance of retaining the present natural forest cover, and increasing the overall tree cover. A large part of the forests should be completely protected for conservation of biodiversity, soil and water. Multiple-use forestry is to be promoted, and the natural forests outside the protected area system should be used sustainably to provide for the growing demand for bio-energy, wood and non-wood forest products, and various services, especially for the benefit of the rural people, while ensuring that the environmental objectives are also met.”

– Sri Lanka Forestry Sector Master Plan: National Forestry Policy and Executive Summary, July 1995. Forestry Planning Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry. Battarmulla, Sri Lanka.

The Forestry Sector Master Plan concern with conservation, empowerment, partnerships, reforms and developing/strengthening forest institutions resulted in three key policy objectives:

1. To conserve forests for posterity, with particular regard to biodiversity, soils, water, and historical, cultural, religious and aesthetic values.

2. To increase the tree cover and productivity of the forests to meet the needs of present and future generations for forest products and services.

3. To enhance the contribution of forestry to the welfare of the rural population, and strengthen the national economy, with special attention paid to equity in economic development.

Such policies are well-intended but the overall capacity to implement them would appear to be constrained at this point in time and this is where a project of this nature can potentially offer assistance to examine the laws, obstacles and opportunities.


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The scene for forest governance on this island nation is a complicated one. There are a host of policy, legal, institutional and economic obstacles. It would appear the law and punishment systems are not necessarily keeping pace with present realities. Political establishments interfere with forest management and resource allocation. Corruption exists at state, civil and private sector levels, also making forest management coordination efforts difficult. There seems to be a desire by the Forest Department towards including communities into forest management. From a SVBC project point of view, bringing the private sector into the mix seems like an even harder task in some ways simply because it is a new way of approaching forest governance in the country. A full overview of the situation in Sri Lanka is available in ‘Forest Governance in Sri Lanka,’ a discussion paper by National Project Coordinator, Prof. Shantha K.Hennayake, prepared for the Global Forest Project: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices. Pilot site Three villages buffering the Knuckles Conservation Zone and sharing the same watershed are the focus of the SVBC pilot site. These include: Illukumbura, Pitawala and Etanwela. Each village consists of approximately 60 to 65 families whose livelihoods are dependent on agricultural practices. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has recently set up an office at Illukumbura from which its component of SVBC will be managed. The project will look at new governance arrangements and their consequences. The project will continue for another two years. At the field level, the project will look at mechanisms where communities are fully involved in the decision making process. The project is engaged in collection detailed information on the interaction between people and the forest through household questionnaire and other techniques. This information base will help plan future conservation strategies in the Knuckles. Studies on statutory law, customary law and economics will be forthcoming. The Knuckles forest region, covering an area of approximately 21,000 ha, lies in the Kandy and Matale districts of central Sri Lanka. The region is separated from the main central highlands by a deeply incised valley of the Mahaweli river, commonly referred to as the Dumbara Valley. With at least 35 peaks rising above 900m, the general landscape is rugged, rocky and hilly with eye-catching vistas. The Knuckles forest was declared a Conservation Forest (17,500 ha) by the Government in April 2000 following which the whole area was declared as a National Man and Biosphere Reserve. The Knuckles forest reserve has since been nominated for declaration as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve and a natural World Heritage Site. The topographic and climatic variation in the Knuckles region has resulted in the occurrence of several natural vegetation types supporting a rich variety of animals and insects. A total of 1033 flowering plants have been recorded from these vegetation types. Home gardens and agricultural lands – cardamom plantations, tea plantations, rice fields, chena cultivations, vegetable plots, mixed spice groves and plantation forests – also form part of the Knuckles region. Around 80 villages are located around the buffer zone of Knuckles including those at the centre of SVBC’s studies.


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COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES This communications strategy has been structured upon the following objectives:

1. To raise the profile of the Project and, in turn, IUCN FLEG using communication as a tool to influence change;

2. To implement targeted communication activities which contribute to the achievement of the Project aims; and

3. To establish and maintain internal communication systems for effective and efficient management of the Project.

To achieve the desired result of well-informed government and policy makers, as well as increased awareness on forest governance among private sector groups and civil society, this strategy is structured upon four phases.

1. Project inception communications: introductory phase

2. Pilot site communications: awareness and involvement phase

3. Lessons learnt communications: convening results and communicating to key policy

makers. This is an education phase where results from economic, legal and customary law studies will become apparent

4. Global linkages communications: mass media integration and phase when reports

etc will be produced and circulated.

This communications strategy focuses primarily on project inception communications and pilot site communications. It is recommended that the strategy is revised within 12 months to provide more in-depth inputs on lessons learnt communications and global linkages communications.


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S.W.O.T analysis: SVBC project in Sri Lanka at a glance Strengths

o IUCN, the project implementer, has

been one of the key players in the environmental field in Sri Lanka

o SVBC will pilot test new approaches

to forest governance to overcome policy, legal, institutional and economic obstacles to forest governance

o The statutory and customary law

analysis, in addition to the economic study, will provide insight to leverage the forest governance debate in Sri Lanka

o Enhancing the capacity of

stakeholders to implement forest governance reforms

o Project Advisory Committee (PAC)

members assembled to advise, review and monitor, provide technical inputs, convene and provide guidance to the NPC

o Set up of the IUCN Knuckles office

completed

Weaknesses o IUCN in-house communications and

website development capacity is pushed at the present time making the SVBC project one among many priorities; this could slow down communications activities

o Travel time to the SVBC pilot site

from the capital, Colombo, is considerable

Opportunities o Opportunity to facilitate tri-partite

dialogue and negotiations between communities, forest managers and private entrepreneurs in and around the Knuckles Forest Range

o Building the capacity of Community

Based Organisations (CBOs)

o Limited print and digital forest governance information in syndication at present

o Poor interpretation of forest law and

policy at the present time

o IUCN Knuckles office can become a

Threats o Poor policy and institutional

arrangements o Poor law enforcement

o Bribery and corruption

o Illegal clearance of forest land for

agriculture

o Other projects competing for the time and energy of project partners

o The pilot site villagers are susceptible

to rumour and are constrained by their ability to validate information. If misinformation about the SVBC project is released, it is likely to


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knowledge hub for the local community

o IUCN pilot site office is building a

detailed scientific database on the interaction between the people and the forest and conservation issues

o Working with the local and national

media on the issue of forest governance

spread and cause concern to both village communities and IUCN

S.W.O.T analysis: project partners Below is a summary of communication specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to the project partners visited in early June 2006. This information is perishable as relationships change and develop between IUCN and these partners. In addition, other partners will also emerge as players on the local, regional and national scene. It is advisable to carry out another S.W.O.T analysis on these partners when the need arises. Strengths Project Advisory Committee

o The right mix of contributors representing State, civil society and private sector

o On board and willing to move forward

with the SVBC agenda Community Based Organisations (CBOs)

o With the right capacity building and resources, the CBOs have the ability to act as a conduit between village people and the Forest Department

Weaknesses Project Advisory Committee

o Weak private sector representation compared to other sectors

o Are local village people adequately

represented? PAC is a national level body and thus does not include local villagers. IUCN will have local level mechanism involving all stakeholders

o To what extent will they be able to

impartially advise the NPC in accomplishing the objectives of the project. PAC members will have their own interests. While they may not be impartial as such, it is not expected they will pose any obstacles

Community Based Organisations (CBOs)

o Unless properly equipped and trained, their impartiality could be manipulated

o Their participation in conservation management too will be minimal without adequate training


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Forest Department o Understand the semantics of forest

governance o Agree about the need for forest

governance reform o Seem keen on an inclusive approach

to forest management o See an ally in the IUCN project o Attempts are being made to work with

the local communities in managing the eco-tourism part of conservation at the pilot site

Knuckles Committee

o Their existence suggests they are concerned with lawful outcomes in the Knuckles forest region

Village Communities at Etenwela, Pita Wela and Illukkumbura

o Appear receptive towards the SVBC project

o Accepting conservation as useful

Forest Department o Constrained communications

capacity and weak on providing forest governance information

o Appear to horde forest data and don’t yet have a means to share it, i.e. a website

Knuckles Committee

o It was later discovered that this is really a ‘Rubber Stamping’ body and a smaller working committee comprising of only Forest Department officials actually is active


o Weak comprehension of forest governance beyond their immediate lifestyle/agricultural needs

o Present inability to ‘play the (political) game’, ‘talk the talk’ and/or fully engage with decision makers

Opportunities Project Advisory Committee (PAC)

o A robust PAC will lead into the Forest Working Group (FWG) for national FLEG

o Ability to provide technical inputs Community Based Organisations (CBOs)

o Ability to re-invigorate debate on

Threats Project Advisory Committee (PAC)

o Inability to meet and coordinate over an extended period of time?

o Difficulty in getting all members to participate on a given day due to these key officials already being overstretched


o Longevity and success of the CBOs


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issues of forest governance o Willing to work with IUCN in

implementing good governance in forest conservation

Forest Department

o Other international projects are working with the Forest Department so there’s the opportunity to link projects for common goals

o Among the Department’s objectives are conservation and welfare of local communities in the buffer zone

o Website development o Willing to collaborate with IUCN

at the pilot site.

Knuckles Committee

o With their ‘buy in,’ perhaps the project can facilitate improved models of operation and progress quicker. Their approval is needed if IUCN introduces major and visible changes in the landscape (billboards) and the local conservation practices.


o SVBC can empower the communities to ‘own’ their issues and seek favourable resolutions

o SVBC should try to link up with other projects to ensure that communities are benefited materially

beyond the project will depend on a variety of factors including the level of commitment from both the village communities and the Forest Department and of course the future policy of the Forest Department in this area

Knuckles Committee

o Not enough is known about them at present but perhaps they are political and have they own divergent agendas


o The communities may get bored of the SVBC project unless innovative ways and approaches were introduced

o Forest governance messages could become too complex and long winded


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ISSUES MATRIX Below is a situational summary of the key SVBC issues identified as benefiting from ongoing communications management.

Lack of awareness about the Knuckles Conservation Zone among: Community members CBOs Regional Council/Rural Officer Local government Tourists (local & international) + tour operators

Weakened CBOs

Poor and partial law enforcement

Intersectorial coordination at the regional level

Poor community liaison skills and customary rights awareness of Forest Officers at field level

Potential impact

Low

Medium

High

Likelihood of Occurrence

Lack of hard data about the local timber trade


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EXTERNAL AUDIENCE ANALYSIS A stakeholders’ public position on an issue or a project may seem opposed to that of IUCN. But by engaging you can go below the ‘surface’ and find out the stakeholders’ interests and needs really are. Ultimately, success is measured in terms of communications helping IUCN to engage with the stakeholder community that can make a difference to improved forest governance in Sri Lanka. The project’s eventual success (or failing) will be the ultimate measure. In the short term, that means communicating with the right people, at the right time.

Local government

Forest Department, National level & pilot site

PAC Gov/NGOs/Dept of Wildlife

Judiciary

CBOs

Tourists local international

Communities - 3

villages - 3 monks

Eco-tourism organisations

Media

Australia-Sri Lanka Natural Resources Management Project

IFAD project: REAP

Private timber merchants from Matale area

Ministry of Environment

High stakeholder concern

Not critical to our success

Low stakeholder concern

Highly critical to our success

University of Peradeniya

Knuckles Committee

FWG


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P.I.N ANALYSIS – POSITIONS, INTERESTS, NEEDS FOR HIGH PRIORITY SVBC STAKEHOLDERS Discussion amongst IUCN staff (namely the National Project Coordinator and the Communications practitioners assisting) about the motivations and rationales of high priority stakeholders generated some scoping on the potential positions, interests and needs of these groups in order to try and find the common ground IUCN may share with the stakeholders. This exercise was designed to ponder how relationships might first be built on the ‘common’ directions rather than differences. The exercise was informed by organizational knowledge and meetings conducted with some of those stakeholders concerned. Stakeholder ‘perspectives’ are captured in the respective columns. A similar analysis for other stakeholders would simply be based on speculation so we did not feel it was worth going through this process for them. Stakeholder Forest

Department IUCN

Position Maintaining and protecting the conservation zone

They are a worthy partner but we can help them to develop useful links which they themselves cannot do under their traditional mandate

Interest 1) Strict enforcement of Forest Ordnance, 2) working with the community, 3) following best practice, 4) facilitating eco-tourism

Assist with the bio-data of the conservation zone, 2) Tell what the law is and what can and cannot be done, 3) Share the environmental significance of the zone

Need Producing and disseminating high quality information

Full cooperation of Forest Department

Common Ground: Strengthened systems, divisions and units within the Forest Department that can produce information products with IUCN and others. Conservation value is another mutual interest. Since IUCN is working with the private sector, we can marry eco-tourism interests of the Forest Department with the private sector business interests and get them involved in responsible conservation. Stakeholder Local

communities IUCN

Position 1) Ensuring traditional land rights and ownership, 2) They want to continue a relationship with the forest (co-existence)

Customary law should be acknowledged in forest governance arrangements Local communities are invited to participate in negotiations


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Interest 1) Livelihood insurance, 2) Alternative livelihoods, 3) Forum to have their voices heard

Presenting the rights and responsibilities of local community can aid clarity for other stakeholders concerned in forest governance

Need 1) Strengthened CBOs, 2) Better diet, 3) Better tailored information, 4) Environmental education

Capacity building of CBOs is a project priority that will benefit local communities in the long run. Equally, information sharing between the local community and other stakeholders can be improved by models put forward by the SVBC project in Sri Lanka

Common Ground: Knowledge is power. IUCN needs to learn about the local communities’ experiences and issues. Equally, the local communities can benefit from IUCN’s interventions aimed at livelihood enhancement and grassroots empowerment. Stakeholder Community Based

Organisations (CBOs)

IUCN

Position Local people for Knuckles Facilitating the CBO voice and equipping people with correct information. CBOs are an important conduit for information exchange and mediation between the Forest Department and local communities

Interest Getting the people to preserve the forest for the Forest Department

IUCN must work to reinvigorate and reeducate CBOs to ensure better two-way communication between the Forest Department and the village population and facilitate pro-active conflict resolution

Need Resolving the conflict between forest conservation and the villager’s usage and needs

Playing a catalytic role in establishing and supporting CBOs. Translation of environmental education sources Cooperation from existing CBOs like ‘Preserving Knuckles’ and support from local communities to create new CBOs Reinvigorate CBOs for the


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common good. They are not just a vehicle for the Forest Department and should not to be used to pitch local communities against the Forest Department either

Common Ground: CBOs are in the interests of local communities and the Forest Department. IUCN will initially become a mediator between the Forest Department and the community but then create a mechanism, or forum, to ensure these parties come together. Stakeholder Project Advisory

Committee (PAC) IUCN

Position Through IUCN encouragement and facilitation, influential persons talk on forest governance and share in their lessons learnt/experiences/ perspectives

To keep the right people in the loop and get their constructive advice

Interest To offer support on the project’s initiatives

Convening and sharing what we’re doing at the field, landscape, national, regional and global levels

Need Primarily a “listening body” at present with the view that they will become a Forest Working Group (FWG) and discuss the issues of forest governance in the country above and beyond this project

Meeting every eight weeks, it is hoped they will provide constructive advise for the project Working towards FLEG initiatives

Common Ground: Those dedicated to the future of forest governance in Sri Lanka can work together in a holistic, inclusive and committed fashion


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Project Advisory Committee (PAC) The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) will consist of the following permanent members:

1. Ministry of Environment representative 2. Conservator General of Forests 3. Regional Forest Officer (RFO), Matale district 4. IUCN Sri Lanka Country Representative 5. SVBC NPC 6. Prov Ministry of Environment representative 7. Environmental lawyer 8. NGO representative 9. Private sector representative 10. Director, LUPPD 11. NPD representative

Stakeholder Tourists IUCN Position Seeking pleasure and

experience Promoting responsible tourism and conservation

Interest Enjoy and have fun Bringing concerned parties together and make an informed tourist. Developing information and sign boards. Creating a learning environment

Need Infrastructure, information, interpretive guides

1) Help facilitate and mediate infrastructure needs etc with help of the private sector, 2) Ensure that the local community is part of the benefit sharing, 3) Conservation is maintained, 4) Ensure local community vigilance

Common Ground: IUCN can do a lot in the tourism sector (e.g. “A Guide to the Biodiversity of Knuckles Forest Region”) and tourists will benefit from an improved Knuckles experience with better infrastructure and improved signage etc Stakeholder Knuckles

Committee IUCN

Position Conservation regulation to ensure things in Knuckles happen legally and with consent

Transparency, cooperation and consultation

Interest Whatever happens within Knuckles happens within the jurisdiction of the law. The Knuckles Committee provide the political

To identify the decision makers within this group and include the Committee in future discussions/round tables etc


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mandate = results in little resistance from opponents

Need Broader understanding of conservation zone and what are the issues (i.e. IUCN law and economic studies)

To work with this group and find out their agenda and obtain the approval for IUCN interventions

Common Ground: Consultation requirements of each group.


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COMMUNICATION TOOLS Billboards Given the touristy nature of the Knuckles region, billboards are one way to display conservation messages to passers by. The following SVBC sponsored billboards have been suggested:

• At the entrances to the conservation zone, a map showing the transportation options, key points for visitors and a bio-data summary;

• Interpretive information at the famous sites, e.g. the Panorama Range. Brochures Brochures are an appealing and easy way to relay information to external audiences. A basic brochure about the conservation zone and its significance plus rules and regulations pertaining to the zone could be created and adapted for the following audiences:

• Villagers: a brochure about what they can and can’t do within and around the forest conservation zone;

• Tourists: what they can and can’t do within the forest. Contact Lists The National Project Coordinator is currently maintaining a contact list for the project – a helpful referral tool for future communication dissemination efforts. CD Roms Project documents and materials could be compiled on CDs at the end of SVBC project initiatives for future use by partners and interested parties. Events There are a number of events organised by IUCN, partners and others that will be worthwhile occasions to communicate about the SVBC project in Sri Lanka. These include:

• National level events like World Environment Day on June 2nd annually – e.g. conservation activities at the school level (there’s a major school at Mahalakotuwa, near the pilot villages, with 200 students, plus three other schools in the vicinity)

• Central Environmental Authority 25th anniversary event, 28-29 July 2006 (completed) • Knuckles Committee meetings – ad hoc, timing tbc • Forest Department meetings • PAC meetings, once every three months – July 2006, October 2006, January 2006 • District Development Committee meetings in Matale – meet once a month or so and

include NGOs and government representatives (Aug 2006?) • Sri Lanka Environmentalist Association meeting (this group is just being formed; insert

meeting dates once finalised) • Forest Collage events • University of Peradeniya events/seminars


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Fact Sheets There is a great need within the project to disseminate information to civil society groups on specialized topics, e.g. special grasslands, rules and regulations for households etc. Such fact sheets could be distributed at the IUCN Knuckles office and via the official visitor information centre at the main entrance to the Knuckles Conservation Zone. Information kits In order to reach each household in the pilot villages, information kits could be put together by IUCN and distributed for families at Illukumbura, Pitawala and Etanwela. The idea is to include relevant, tailor-made information to the villagers and encourage discussion about forest governance matters within the home. In order to make it fun and engaging, fact sheets could be complemented with a conservation game, promotional items and activities for the children like a forest themed colouring book for example. Learning Moments Any interactive project needs to encourage immersion learning or ‘learning through experience.’ One way to aid this is by inviting key people to come and visit the SVBC project. Visits can be timed at strategic moments within the project. Participants to be targeted could include media representatives, government officials and PAC members. Letters Letter will be an ongoing requirement of the project. These will primarily be prepared by the National Project Coordinator (NPC). Maps The S/W Rain Forest Conservation Project (GEF/UNDP), Forest Department and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources collaborated on the production of a tourist-specific map (A3) on the Knuckles Conservation Zone. A newly updated and detailed map of the Knuckles Conservation zone could have benefits for a wide range of people, specifically the village communities and policy makers. IUCN could work with the Forest Department to help facilitate the production of such a map with improved spatial information and more comprehensive written content. Meetings and Workshops Throughout the project, meetings and workshops will be an integral part of communicating with key stakeholders. Some meeting occasions already foreseen include:

• Regular Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings every other month • Project Coordination meeting, 11-15 September 2006, Ghana • Meetings with the Forest Department officials • Meetings with the local political authorities • Meetings with the local CBOs • Meetings with other target groups such as environmental lawyers, judges etc


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Media kits IUCN’s Sri Lanka country office can work with and behalf of the SVBC project to issue media information on the project such as media releases, backgrounders, Q&As etc. Close coordination between country office and project staff would be required to make this happen. Media kits are a great way to package tailored information to meet the media’s information needs. They can also help to brand a project and provide information at people’s fingertips. Newsletters There is no single newsletter dedicated to the SVBC project in Sri Lanka but a number of newsletters listed below can be approached with stories, opinion pieces etc to spread the SVBC messages at strategic times:

• Chatham House newsletter • IUCN Asia Regional newsletter • FLEG newsletter • Forest Department’s ‘Ruk’ publication (quarterly) • Project Advisory Committee (PAC) member’s newsletters, e.g. NGO newsletters &

website alerts Posters and Signs Attractive posters and signs may be necessary in the village/commune to explain the IUCN project site. Why is it there? How long is it there for? What is the purpose of the site? Posters and signs are simple but effective communication method to aid explanation for the local community and passers by. They could be displayed at the village shop, library or Forest Department information office

• Two posters are currently being developed by IUCN Sri Lanka for the Central Environmental Authority 25th anniversary event (28-29 July 2006): one on the forest thematic area and the other on the SVBC project in Sri Lanka (this was completed and a beautiful poster on Knuckles was developed with the help of the communication department)

Photography The project in Sri Lanka is already building a library of SVBC images. Attractive photographs of the Knuckles Conservation Zone could be sold to tourists in the form of postcards or calendars etc to provide a little extra income for the still-to-be-developed Community Based Organisations (CBOs). Similarly, a photography competition through the local schools (aimed at the senior children) could invite groups of children to document and express their relationship with conservation in a similar fashion to the IUCN ‘Tales of Water’ project. IUCN could approach Kodak, or similar, for 20 odd disposable cameras. The initiative could be integrated into the school curriculum (March/April 07). The very activity is a learning exercise for children, families and perhaps even policy makers who could be shown the results at a later date.


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Promotional Items Simple but effective, the production of promotional items such as caps, pens, stickers, mugs, t-shirts etc can spread a message and create good-will among recipients. Such items may prove popular at the commune level where people like to receive free, attractive promotional items. The idea of producing ‘information kits’ (see previous page for details) for each pilot site village family has been discussed and promotional items could be bundled together with the information fact sheets/brochures etc. Reports The SVBC project will generate numerous reports including law and economical assessments plus a ‘lessons learnt’ report at the end of the project. These will need to be carefully produced, translated (where necessary) and distributed to all interested parties. Training workshops Initially training workshops would be done separately with the aim of bringing CBOs and the Forest Department face and face at the right time. Getting each stakeholder to do some role-reversal role playing can be helpful to build understanding about different perspectives. For CBOs Training workshops on the importance of forest law have been discussed: what is legal and illegal? Following statutory law, customary law and the economic value of the forest, these training workshops could happen at the pilot site level. Workshops will seek to strengthen CBO’s capacity and encourage conflict resolution in a non-confrontational manner. For the Forest Department Training workshops on statutory law, customary law and the economic value of the forest may be beneficial. Websites At present there are three IUCN websites which can serve to disseminate information about the project in Sri Lanka. These include:

• www.iucn.org/forest - the website of IUCN’s Forest Conservation Programme (FCP) with general information on SVBC

• www.iucn.org/Sri Lanka - the website of the IUCN Sri Lanka country office • www.iucn.org/asia – IUCN Asia Regional Office website

The IUCN Forest Conservation Programme (FCP) website is in English and is mainly for a global audience – policy makers, donors, academics and students, interested persons etc. It will primarily serve as a general information platform for SVBC. It will potentially serve as a tool to distribute lessons learnt from all the participating countries. The IUCN Sri Lanka country office web page has the potential to link back to the FCP page. Sinhalese content is limited at present. Other websites to send SVBC content to include:

• Department of Wildlife, Sri Lanka • NGO websites (members of PAC)


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Video A 10-min video about the ecological significance of the Knuckles Conservation Zone and the life of the locals could be shown at the Knuckles visitor information centre and another version could be made for policy makers etc (using stock footage but a different script). SPECIAL PURPOSE FOREST GOVERNANCE WEBSITE Background Retaining and disseminating forest governance knowledge is a key priority of the SVBC project in Sri Lanka. The SVBC project will not plant a single tree in Sri Lanka, however, it can share valuable lessons – from pilot site realities, to legal and economic studies, new models of engagement and policy recommendations. A special purpose, English language forest governance website has been put forward to ensure information does not disappear into oblivion, and encourage intersectorial partners to share information more effectively. No such thematic website exists in Sri Lanka at present. The project aims to work with the governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. All three audiences could benefit from the creation of a credible website dedicated to national forest governance information. Community Based Organisations (CBOs) are susceptible to unforeseen changes and trends precluding their management of such websites. Government could benefit from interactive, on-demand information and assisted entry into the technological age. And currently there is no means of incorporating the private sector into forest governance information capture and dissemination. It is foreseen that such a website could also become a resource for national and international researchers and academics. Suggested website content

• General overview about the forestry sector in Sri Lanka • Timber trade information – processes and localities • Forest law enforcement • Forest violations in spatial terms • Deforestation rates • Forest cover information • Forestry sector timeline • Conservation areas locations • Other Statistical data • Q&A section / Discussion board • Database on forest governance • SVBC discussion paper on forest governance in Sri Lanka • SVBC project information and findings including forest governance model • SVBC training materials • SVBC statutory law, customary law and economic studies • Contacts directory


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Website management and hosting Initially it was thought the SVBC Project Advisory Committee (PAC) – later to become the FLEG Working Group – could manage such a website beyond this project but this does not appear to be feasible due to lack of website personnel, lack of content management systems and minimal infrastructure support. An alternative model is that information would first be derived from PAC members, the Forest Department, local officials, police stations etc and then edited and re-purposed by IUCN. For quality control and impartiality reasons, such a website is best managed by IUCN in the interim with the view to capacity building within the Forestry Department and getting their full involvement on data collection and perhaps ownership of a particular section of the website. Rationale for IUCN as the host:

• The forest programme is a major thematic area for IUCN and will continue to be so beyond this project’s duration;

• Creation of such a website would complement IUCN’s position as an information provider and facilitate knowledge networks;

• If IUCN hosted a such a website, the organisation’s autonomy and credibility would be maintained;

• Such a website could function as a capacity building exercise between IUCN and the Forest Department. A MoU between IUCN and Forest Department could be drafted after the modalities of the website were worked out;

• IUCN can continually train Forest Department staff on knowledge management to ensure the SVBC initiative is not just a one hit wonder;

• A website could be an exercise to try to lift the overall standards of the Forest Department when it comes to information presentation and dissemination thereby instilling a new culture of information sharing within the Forest Department;

• The website could link in with IUCN’s Business Programme objectives, e.g. ‘buy in’ from the Sri Lankan Tourism Board etc.

Even after the project, IUCN has programmatic interests in forests and biodiversity. Maintaining a very close link between IUCN and the Forest Department would be strategic for future relations, and future projects. Website content generation would not be a problem and there is potential for IUCN to leverage such a website in years to come. IUCN already has a website audience that could be drawn upon and the organization has marketing support systems in place to get websites promoted. Financing website development It appears the website staff at IUCN Sri Lanka are already committed to other projects at this time (that may change though). Employing external web developers can be costly but the legacy of such a website may justify such an investment. IUCN could explore co-financing models, e.g. with Darwin Initiative. The first external quote from Colombo based Simula Corporation of US $2,000 included developing the website, hosting the website and maintaining the website but not much detail was provided. Additional cost estimates and more technical ‘back end’ details are needed from them and then these need to be compared with other competitive quotes.


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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN As mentioned at the start of this strategy, the Communications Objectives for SVBC are as follows:

1. To raise the profile of the SVBC project and, in turn, IUCN FLEG using communication as a tool to influence change; 2. To implement targeted communication activities which contribute to the achievement of the SVBC project aims; and 3. To establish and maintain internal communication systems for effective and efficient management of the SVBC project.

Ultimately, the SVBC project in Sri Lanka demands effective, accurate and timely communication on livelihood enhancement and forest conservation. There is a need to create ‘space’ for discussion and deliberation while facilitating all ‘voices’ to participate in forest management and governance in Sri Lanka in a tri-partite approach. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan below is a starting point. It is designed to reflect how stakeholders might best be approached and through what means. But like the above example, there needs to be considerable time, energy and consideration spent along the way to maximize efforts with particular stakeholders at various times. Stakeholder

Priority L = low M = medium H = high

Communications Engagement Objectives

Ideas for engagement method/communication tools

Sample messages

Forest Department

H Institutional support for forestry development To improve their external information flow To create clarity on key forest laws To foster intersectorial linkages and international forest-related conventions

• Capacity building workshops and seminars

• Website on forest governance

• FLEG literature

E.g. IUCN & the Forestry Department: forging a forest future together.

Communities

H Enhancing participation in forest debate Building

• Information packs for families containing facts and

E.g. Living in harmony & health with the Knuckles Forest Range


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awareness levels about the Conservation Zoning and forest governance consequences Building rapport with the three pilot site villages – Etenwela, Pita Wela and Illukkumbura

fun learning orientated diversions

E.g. a calico show bag including: cards, fact sheets for 200 families, bumper stickers, colouring books (surplus could be sold at the visitor centre), pens and pencils, flags for motorbikes, games, stickers & balloons

• A giveaway at the shop or public library

• Internet

connection at the SVBC project office could be a draw card for the community

• Billboards/

signs

• Participation in a video

• School

based photography competition


27

• Interactive

events and demonstrations, e.g. puppet show and dramas


H Reinvigorating existing CBOs Developing and strengthening Knuckles Forest Region CBOs

• Training

• Capac

ity building

• Provisi

on of information materials

• Inclusi

on at PAC meetings and round-tables

E.g. Community Based Organisations (CBOs) for ecosystems & livelihoods

Project Advisory Committee (PAC) [to become the National FLEG Forest Working Group (FWG)]

H Sharing SVBC project information to create a culture of mutual vision and mission

• Regular meetings (at least bi monthly)

• Discus

sion papers

• Sharin

g results

E.g. Harnessing expertise and experience together to evaluate and assess regional and national forest governance measures


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of statutory and customary law analysis and economic study

Tourists H Encouraging responsible, informed tourism

• Fact sheets in English, Sinhalese and Tamil (other international languages?)

• Billboards/signs

• Project office visits

• Knuckles photography (for sale?)

• Video at the visitor information centre

E.g. Leave only footprints E.g. Share the wonder of the Knuckles Forest Range and support local livelihoods

Knuckles Committee

H-M Partnership and cooperation to facilitate the project objectives smoothly

• SVBC introductory brochure

• Invitation to the PAC?

• Forest governance website

• Fact sheets (perhaps they could disseminate to

E.g. The SVBC promotes Joint Forest Management (JFM) and tri-partite dialogue and negotiations between communities, forest managers and private entrepreneurs


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government offices)

• Visit to the IUCN Knuckles Project Office

Ministry of Environment

M Sharing SVBC project findings at the field and landscape level Building institutional capacity and an inclusive approach to national forest governance

• Briefings • Case

studies • Customary

law, statutory law and economics key findings summarised

• FLEG information

• Field visits

E.g. SVBC – working with people, organizations and departments and Ministries to achieve improved forest governance outcomes

Judiciary M Sharing the results of the statutory and customary law studies Encouraging the judiciary’s participation in the debate Capacity building of the judiciary

• Post study found tables


• Field site visits?

• Capacity building training

E.g. Forest governance: setting the possibilities for change

Media M Engaging with the meda in a pro-active manner at strategic moments Being prepared for any controversies Pursuing radio outlets at a local level (radios are widely used by

• Media kit • Spokesper

son access


• Q&As • Backgroun

ders • Media

releases

E.g. SVBC – a unified vision for forest governance in Sri Lanka


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village locals) National Environmental NGOs

M Assist us with identifying forest governance issues Identify ways to move forward with forest governance in an integrated way

• Website on forest governance

• FLEG literature

E.g. Integrated resource management for securing a forest future for Sri Lankans

Eco-tourism organisations

M Eco-tourism has a future in the Knuckles Forest Range Incorporating eco-tourism operator feedback Gathering tourism infrastructure ideas and working with the IUCN Business & Biodiversity programme

• Fact sheets in English, Sinhalese and Tamil

• Billboards • Project

office visits


E.g. Sustainable tourism is quality tourism that recognizes ecosystems & livelihoods

University of Peradeniya

M The SVBC project has valuable lessons to share with the academic community

• SVBC introductory brochure


• Field visits • Q&A

sheets (could also use for the media)

E.g. An IUCN project in Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Ranges aims to have national spin-offs for improved forest governance

Private timber merchants from Matale

M-L Inviting private entrepreneurs to share the forest management ideas

• PAC • Round

table meetings


E.g. Your inputs are valuable


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Australia – Sri Lanka Natural Resources Management Project

L Working together on similar concerns can benefit both projects and, ultimately, outcomes

• Project updates

• Project findings shared

E.g. Let’s keep each other in the loop

IFAD Project: REAP

L Working together on similar concerns can benefit both projects and, ultimately, outcomes

• Project updates

• Project findings shared

E.g. Let’s keep each other in the loop

IMPLEMENTATION Implementation of communications is concerned with the practical aspects of making things happen. Who? How? What budget? Short term outputs for SVBC project in Sri Lanka

Communication Responsibility Matrix July 2006 – April 2007

XX Primary Responsibility X Secondary / Supporting Responsibility

Task

National Project Coordinator

IUCN Sri Lanka Communication-ns Coordinator

ELG 1 Communicatio-ns Officer

SVBC introductory brochure (Sinhalese translation) xx x IUCN materials sent to village libraries xx SVBC materials present for 25th Anniversary of the Central Environmental Authority exhibit

x xx

Project familiarization following the 1st PAC meeting xx Media release and media liaison following 1st PAC meeting x xx x Fact sheets

1. Basic introduction to the conservation zone (for Forest Department staff, tourists and village communities)

2. Dos and don’ts (for village communities)

xx x x

Interpretive billboards xx Interactive information kits for villagers xx xx RECOFT training workshop Production of legal and economic reports xx (and


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consultants) School based competition x xx Ongoing website proposal/development xx x x Ongoing transformation of the IUCN Knuckles office as a information hub

xx

Communications Activity Overview

The following table outlines the Communication Activities for the SVBC project in Sri Lanka from July 2006 – April 2007

Month Jul

2006

Aug 2006

Sept 2006

Oct 2006

Nov 2006

Dec 2006

Jan 200

7

Feb 2007

Mar 2007

Apr 2007

SVBC introductory brochure (Sinhalese translation)

Early

July

IUCN materials

sent to pilot village

libraries

25th Anniversary

of Central Environmen

tal Authority

exhibit

28-29 July

2006

PAC meetings

Project familiarizati

on following 1st

PAC meeting

Media release

following 1st PAC

meeting


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Fact Sheets Interpretative billboards

Interactive information

kits for villagers

RECOFT training

workshops

Production of legal and economic

reports

School based

photography

competition

Web site planning

and developmen

t (ongoing)

Knuckles office as an information

hub (ongoing)


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Implementation Challenges & Follow Up Below is a brief summary of some communication challenges facing the project at present and suggested action to remedy these. S.W.O.T analysis on project partners More inputs from the National Project Coordinator (NPC) are needed on this SWOT analysis. Analysis on the Knuckles Committee was limited because at the time of the communications work in Sri Lanka, the NPC was still to meet with the Committee for the first time. Action 1: NPC to meet with the Knuckles Committee and then conduct an S.W.O.T analysis. Special purpose forest governance website There is still considerable scoping to be done on the website concept both in terms of logistics, and hosting, content and function and price. Action 2: NPC and Communications staff to surf the World Wide Web for other countries’ forest governance web sites for ideas on how to frame, and potentially co-finance and co-management, this site. Also check out the Department of Wildlife, Sri Lanka, website. Consulting with local schools As mentioned, communication activities link the SVBC objectives with the curriculum of schools in the Knuckles buffer villages. In order to work with schools, it is vital to introduce the project and discuss ideas for collaboration. Action 3: NPC and Kelum to meet with schools in the pilot site vicinity. Absence of permanent IUCN Sri Lanka Communications Officer Recruitment for the position of IUCN Sri Lanka Communications Officer is currently taking place and it is hoped that by 1 September 2006, an appropriate candidate will be found. In the meantime, IUCN Sri Lanka intern, Ramila Senanayke, is the main communications contact and she is supporting the SVBC project in-country. Action 4: NPC to work with the Country Representative to build in SVBC task requirements into the new ToR for in incumbent.


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INTERNAL COMMUNICATION Internal Stakeholders for the SVBC project in Sri Lanka include:

• Consultants • Field Officer • IUCN Sri Lanka staff • Other NPC globally • ELG 2 advisors • Global Steering Committee • In-house committee at IUCN Sri Lanka includes all the programme coordinators,

country representative and anyone else who is interested.

To support a successful project and, in turn, enable external communications, considered internal communication systems must be in place. Within the project and across countries, telephone conferences, SKYPE communication, regular email correspondence and monthly reports are being applied. In addition, the Sri Lanka project component will facilitate the following:

• Weekly debrief meetings with IUCN Sri Lanka country office staff • Quarterly meetings at the IUCN Sri Lanka country office • Regular meetings with the project consultants • Project Advisory Group (PAC) meetings (every three months)

In addition, the Sri Lanka project can share its findings, experiences and learnings with the other countries in which the SVBC project is operating. This will occur through monthly reporting procedures, email updates and participating at the annual Project Coordination Meeting (Ghana, 11-15 September 2006). LINKING NATIONAL PROJECT OBJECTIVES TO THE PROJECT’S GLOBAL STRATEGY It is incredibly important to link the Sri Lanka project objectives with those of the SVBC project globally. This can be achieved in several ways:

1) Annual meeting with national partners involving INGOs and project advisory committee 2) SVBC team coordination project meetings 3) Utilising http://www.iucn.org/themes/fcp/ to display lessons learnt for all six countries

for a global audience including the donor, the European Commission (EC) 4) Sharing the communications strategy for the SVBC project in Sri Lanka 5) Identifying what communication tools identified for the SVBC project in Sri Lanka may

work in other countries where the project is operating


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KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT As a knowledge based organisation, IUCN is committed to capturing, analyzing and sharing scientific, social and economic information from its various programmes and projects. The Global Forest Governance Project: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices has the benefit of knowledge management coordination at IUCN’s Asia Regional Office (ARO), at IUCN headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, and through the various countries in which the project is being executed: Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Viet Nam. To date, the SVBC project is making good progress utilizing the IUCN Knowledge Network which facilitates the creation of shared folders, uploading of documents and document searches. A Knowledge Network ‘road map’ for the project has been designed (all NPCs have a copy) and an index for folders and documents is a practical step to enable smooth internal communications. IUCN’s global Forest Conservation Programme’s (FCP) website, http://www.iucn.org/themes/fcp/, can be a central depository for FLEG related knowledge generated as a result of SVBC. Coordinated publication planning can also begin with the assistance of the FCP. Also, IUCN’s Publication Services Unit will be of immeasurable assistance in this regard (http://www.iucn.org/bookstore/designguidelines/index.htm) and should be consulted promptly if any SVBC publication is planned.


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MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring and evaluation are ongoing internal processes. From the coordination point of view, this means the following tasks need to be carried out:

• Coordinating and managing the engagement activities • Communicating to relevant IUCN staff and escalation of the issues to the Project Team

Leader • Checking within the appropriate levels of IUCN to determine what other engagement

activities may have taken place with the same stakeholder/s • Maintaining a record of contacts and engagement using a stakeholder engagement

database Monitoring and evaluating communications is not a straight forward process. Regular communication catch-up discussions assessing the communication infrastructure (including staff time), looking at communication objectives, examining audience reach and message success can be carried out by the NPC and the communicators assisting him. At strategic times, short surveys could also be circulated to key partners (the Project Advisory Group for instance) to get their feedback on communication efforts. The following suggestions are other ways to capture and learn from communication efforts. Track coverage Create a system to capture media hits -consider hiring a print news clipping service - contact an audio/video clipping service prior to major TV and radio hits to ensure capture of those hits - search news sites such as Google News for mentions of the project - enlist staff or volunteers to collect print hits and record TV and radio appearances and features - note which journalist covered the story and thank them tactfully, when appropriate, for a well-balanced story Evaluate After each effort, assess what was successful and what could improve. It might help to wait a week or more after the event to begin assessment as this will allow for perspective to develop and can result in more honest assessment. Celebrate Acknowledge and celebrate successes! CONCLUSION The SVBC project in Sri Lanka has progressed well thus far and there is a dynamic team in place. The timing of this communications plan was ideal – enough ground work has been done, some key relationships have been established and priorities have been set. The opening of the IUCN Knuckles office is helpful from a communications perspective because it can serve as an ‘information port of call’ for interested stakeholders while aiding the practical function of accommodating the Field Officer and visiting Project Advisory Members (PAC) etc. Quite simply, it is a physical manifestation of the project and can represent a lot of what SVBC is about.


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The development of a special purpose forest governance website is a core communications component of the SVBC project in Sri Lanka. There is still much work to do to make it happen but the research leads have been identified at the right time. The website is likely to be launched in the project’s third quarter when the project information will be ripe to share and a handover to an IUCN division, or managing partner, will be most viable. CONTACTS For more information about this communications strategy, contact

SARAH WINTLE Communications Officer Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group (ELG 1) The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Asia Regional Office - 63, Sukhumvit Soi 39 (Prompong) Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: + 66 2 662 4029 Mob: + 66 4 674 7302 Fax: + 66 2 662 4388 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iucn.org

PROF. SHANTHA K.HENNAYAKE National Project Coordinator Forest Governance Project: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka Country Office No. 53, Horton Place Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

Tel : +94 11 2682418 ext. 304 Res. Tel : +94 81 2387204 Fax :+94 11 2682470 Mobile +94 77 7840640 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iucnsl.org APPENDIX

• Sarah Wintle’s trip report (5-9 June 2006 mission) • ToR for the ELG Communications Officer on mission in Sri Lanka. • May/June NPC monthly feedback reports. • Simula Corp website quote (7 April 2006) • Address list of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) • Forest Governance in Sri Lanka, a discussion paper by Prof. Shantha K.Hennayake

- ends -

Documents

SVBC Sri Lanka Communications Strategy