Anniversary of the
ForGEDI MOOC

Growing Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) through Forestry Education: Overcoming Challenges and Making an Impact

  • Date: April 8, 2025
  • Time: 9:00 – 10:00 CEST / 15:00 – 16:00 CEST
  • Online Webinar

Organised by: ForGEDI IUFRO Task Force, Nordic Forest Research (SNS), International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO)

Hosted by: University of Padova

Join us as we celebrate one year of ForGEDI MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), the first open-access course dedicated to advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) in forestry education. This anniversary event brings together leading voices to reflect on challenges, share impacts, and explore the future of GEDI in forestry.

  • Keynote Speaker: Vivienne Mack, Head of the IFSA Gender Sub-commission
  • Interactive Panel Discussion with global experts, experienced educators and young professionals
  • Live Q&A with the audience

Forestry and forest-related sectors stand at a critical crossroad. As global challenges intensify, building sustainable and inclusive futures demands more than technical expertise; it requires a deep commitment to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI). Yet, these essential dimensions are often absent or underrepresented in forestry education.

The groundbreaking ForGEDI MOOC, launched by the former IUFRO Task Force on Gender Equality in Forestry, has reached nearly 2,000 learners worldwide with an impressively low dropout rate of just 2.3%. This demonstrates a great interest, critical need for and strong engagement with GEDI in forestry education.

Our anniversary webinar brings together a range of perspectives to reflect on the real-world impacts of GEDI education, explore persistent challenges, and discuss how we can use education as a tool for resistance, transformation, and empowerment—in uncertain times and beyond.

This event is ideal for forestry educators, researchers, students, practitioners, and anyone interested in creating more inclusive and equitable approaches to natural resource management. Participants will gain practical insights, learn more about the MOOC, and hear expert advice on advancing GEDI in their own institutions and practices.

The newly formed ForGEDI IUFRO Task Force is proud to welcome an inspiring panel of experts, educators, and young professionals who are advancing GEDI in forestry and beyond. Bringing diverse perspectives from research, policy, and grassroots action, our panellists will share experiences, challenges, and insights on transforming forestry education for a more inclusive future.

Join us to expand your professional network and gain insights you can apply directly to your work and studies!

Two sessions are available to accommodate participants from different time zones worldwide.

Vivienne Mack

Vivienne Mack Keynote Speaker (both sessions)

As head of the IFSA Gender Subcommission and the first ForGEDI MOOC learner, Vivianne brings global leadership in advancing gender equity across forestry networks.

  • Session 1 (9:00–10:00 CEST)
Peter Kanowski

Peter Kanowski Professor of Forestry, Australian National University

Peter is a global leader in forestry and environmental policy, with a strong commitment to education and academic leadership. A Rhodes Scholar and former Deputy Director General at CIFOR, he has shaped forestry curricula and supervised generations of students at ANU and beyond. His teaching and research focus on international forest governance, sustainability, and community engagement, and he is widely recognised for his contributions to both education and public policy.

GloriaAdeyiga

Gloria Kukurije Adeyiga Research Scientist, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana

Gloria is a gender and climate researcher with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of agroforestry, restoration, and rural livelihoods. Her work focuses on enhancing food security and reducing climate vulnerability among smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana. As part of the award-winning Regreening Africa project, she has advanced gender-responsive approaches to ecosystem restoration. Gloria also serves as an ORA Africa 2024 Fellow and has consulted for organizations, including USAID.

  • Session 2 (15:00 – 16:00 CEST)
Rocío Melina García

Rocío Melina García Research Fellow, CONICET / Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Argentina

Rocío is an early-career researcher in sustainable forest management and a committed educator in natural resource planning. As a contributor to the ForGEDI MOOC, she brings valuable perspectives on inclusive forestry education from Latin America. Her academic work and teaching reflect a strong dedication to place-based, critical learning approaches that connect students to real-world forest challenges.

John Boakye-Danquah

John Boakye-Danquah Adjunct Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan

John is an environmental sustainability scholar with global experience across research, policy, and education. He is recognised for his interdisciplinary teaching on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and his commitment to inclusive, experiential learning that empowers students to address real-world challenges.

Join the webinar on April 8th, 2025

No registration is required - simply join us online!
Save the date and be part of the conversation.

1st session

9.00-10.00h CEST

Passcode: 276035

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2nd session

15.00-16.00h CEST

Passcode: 728968

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