Why institutional reforms in forestry? Lessons from international experience
Profound changes have taken place, worldwide, during the last decade. These political, economic, and institutional changes have contributed to redefine the role of the state in all sectors, including natural resources. This article discusses traditional shortcomings of forest departments and new challenges they face arising from the changes in national policies and global concerns. Worldwide trends, such as civil service reforms, decentralization of government, increased local community involvement in resource management, and divestiture of state-owned enterprises impact the forestry sector, already faced with shrinking forest areas, decreased revenues, and government downsizing. To survive, forest departments need to form strategic partnerships with other stakeholders, get out of forest activities where they do not have a comparative advantage, and focus on core functions that governments do best. Examples are given from countries in Asia and the Pacific. Two country case studies are presented discussing Nepal's experience with Forest User Groups and New Zealand's experience with privatization of forestry.
Paradigms of Tropical Forestry in Rural Development
The integration of tropical forestry in rural and general socio-economic development is reviewed from a historical perspective. Development is synthesized in six paradigms, whereby practice is integrated in theories and ongoing discourses. The paradigms are the basis for an outlook on future tropical forestry development models. The one-dimensional, static thinking prevalent in market-driven tropical forestry is complemented by more complex models; models in which the regulating and constituting functions of the state are revitalized and civil society and commu- nities are involved in a balanced way. Future forestry development models have to be diversified, flexible and able to adapt to the increasing external influences exerted by the human ecological system.
Ethics and the Treatment of the Mentally Ill, Homeless Person: a Perspective on Psychiatry Resident Training
ObjectiveThe authors outline the unique ethical challenges that psychiatry residents face in working with individuals who are homeless and mentally ill. The authors also propose steps to develop effective teaching methods with residents working with these patients.MethodsThe authors reviewed literature relevant to the training of psychiatry residents in ethics and treating individuals who are homeless and mentally ill.ResultsThe authors summarize current literature and, with the use of case examples, provide guidelines for effective teaching.ConclusionsTeaching psychiatry residents who are working in the community with individuals who are mentally ill and homeless needs to address a number of unique ethical conflicts that arise in this area. The authors outline approaches to this teaching.