%0 Research article
%T Characteristics and challenges of forest sector communication in the EU
%A Janse, Gerben
%D 2007
%J Silva Fennica
%V 41
%N 4
%R doi:10.14214/sf.279
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/279
%X Fragmentation of forest policy at the EU level and image problems of the  forest industry have increased forest sector actors’ interest for  cooperation on and coordination of communication activities. Although  internal communication in the forest sector at the European level is  generally well developed both formally and informally, the desired  strengthening of communication with other sectors and the public at  large is perceived as difficult. In this pre-study 39 interviews were  conducted with EU and UNECE/FAO officials, EU level Forest-based  Industries and forestry sector federation representatives, and forest  scientists working at the European level. The results indicate that EU  level forest sector core actors’ ideas on communication differ. Ideas  range from strictly image improvement; being more successful at lobbying  with other sectors and high-level policy-makers; up to building  long-lasting relations and two-way communication processes with other  sectors. This makes it difficult to come to coordinated action among  forest sector actors. A more active exchange of information on best  practices in forest communication between national as well as European  level actors, and increased coordination of communication efforts is  desired by industry, forest owners as well as policy-makers. However,  clear ideas on how to improve, especially inter-sectoral, communication  are largely lacking.