Joensuu Forestry Networking Week organised in May, with ‘new wood products’ as the theme
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The Joensuu Forestry Networking Week provides a networking opportunity to young European researchers and forest experts. Organised jointly by the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla), the European Forest Institute (EFI), the University of Eastern Finland and the North Karelia University of Applied Sciences, this event was held, to apparent acclaim, for the first time in 2009. This year, the event will be organised for the fourth time, in May, with the theme of new wood products and wood construction.
Young people are the future. This was clearly the thought behind the decision made some years ago by representatives of Metla, EFI and the University of Eastern Finland to establish an international forestry networking event in Joensuu.
“The official decision to organise a joint event was made in 2007, when the management of Metla and EFI meet for discussions on the issue. Following this, a small working group performed further work on the idea, resulting in an annual event with its own distinct profile: a forestry themed networking event aimed at young researchers and forest experts – future forest policy makers. Alongside Metla and EFI, the University of Eastern Finland, then the University of Joensuu, joined the project. The Joensuu Forestry Networking Week was organised for the first time in 2009,” says Jari Parviainen, Regional Director of Metla’s Eastern Unit and one of the event’s main founders.
Event built around an important, topical theme
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The forestry networking week seminar is traditionally held at Metla House in Joensuu (above).
The excursion day offers a hands-on approach to issues. Professor Antti Asikainen from Metla, in the green jacket, gives a presentation (below). |
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The first event’s theme was climate change and forests. Parviainen describes this as a natural continuation of the United Nations climate change conference held in Bali in 2008. “At the Bali meeting, forests were given a prominent role, the forestry networking event in Joensuu continuing on the same theme. Issues related to mitigating climate change, forest policy measures and the adjustment of forest management in Europe were raised for discussion during the Joensuu Forestry Networking Week. The event attracted some 40 researchers and experts from across Europe,” recounts Parviainen.
Receiving plenty of positive feedback, the event was organised again in Joensuu in 2010, with the theme ‘Forest-water interactions in Europe’. The main points of discussion included the droughts affecting Southern Europe and the resulting damage to forests, the climate impacts of water use in forests and the impact of forest management measures on water management.
At the 2011 event, the theme ‘Forest and Energy’ highlighted the sustainability of forest energy production, its impacts on the regional and national economy, as well as supply chain efficiency, entrepreneurship and new green business activities. A video from a forest energy site.
In 2009 and 2010, Metla, EFI and the University of Eastern Finland took turns to organise the events. In 2011, the North Karelia University of Applied Sciences joined this group of organisers.
New wood products and construction the theme for 2012
“The traditional forest industry is currently undergoing massive change, in which we too will play a key role.
New wooden products, liquid fuels and chemical products, or so-called bio products, are today’s keywords. Wood construction is important to Finland – a message that we wish to pass on. The seminar itself will be held in Metla House, which will also provide participants with an image-building example of wooden construction. Current innovations include new products and services, such as composite guitars or, from house companies, turn-key house packages that can be erected in a single day. We will also emphasise the life-cycle of wood, along with its carbon-binding properties. I believe that this year’s event too will attract a large number of interested participants,” declares Parviainen.
Forestry networking week, consisting of a seminar, workshops, poster exhibition and an excursion day, has now established itself in the final week of May. “In addition to research-related briefing sessions, the seminar will include keynote lectures from influential speakers in the industry. This year, we also hope to enlist a speaker of national standing as the seminar day’s keynote speaker, and to make this lecture open to everybody who is interested. A detailed programme for the event will soon be published.”
On the excursion day, participants will be taken on a wood themed trip to Punkaharju and Savonlinna. They will be shown representative examples of traditional wood construction and given a tour of Finnforest’s modern laminated veneer lumber factory in Punkaharju. “The excursion day offers participants an insight into Finland’s natural forest environment and a close look at practical work. This has been carefully planned as a memorable part of the programme. Dozens of active young people will return to Europe from the event, bearing news of Finnish expertise and its focal points,” states Parviainen.
“Works as it should – active networking between future opinion formers”
Based on a small annual grant, the organisers have kept the participation fee for forestry networking week at a nominal level. In addition, the City of Joensuu, the Regional Council and some companies have contributed. The event’s content is finalised as early as possible, so that participants can seek funding for participation costs. Some 80 per cent of participants come from abroad. The event’s key messages are collected in a printed publication that is also distributed to decision-makers. This year, the publication will be electronic – due to the small carbon footprint among other reasons.
According to Jari Parviainen, the forestry networking week has worked as originally planned. “We have managed to engage young people in networking on an international basis. These new contacts and networks can be used to launch projects and apply for funding. Forestry networking week has also given rise to international cooperation and interaction. For example, the Croatian Forest Research Institute is interested in cooperation with us. International trainees drop by Joensuu, in many cases due to this event. These youngsters will help to enhance Joensuu’s reputation as the forest capital of Europe.”
Welcome to the Joensuu Forestry Networking week!
Although there is reason to be satisfied, continuous work is still needed. Other similar events compete for participants and markets. Parviainen believes that much can be done by spreading the word and burnishing the event’s brand. “Joensuu Forestry Networking Week is so strong because, in addition to students, it is aimed at actors involved in practical activities, as well as established experts who contribute to the event’s content. Satisfied participants are the best advert for the event – good news travels fast,” says Parviainen, bidding anyone with an interest in the subject a warm welcome to Joensuu in May.
Further information
- Regional Director, professor Jari Parviainen, ph. +358 29 532 3010, jari.parviainen(a)metla.fi
- Joensuu Forestry Networking Week 20.-25.5.2012