Youth, migration and community forestry in the Global South

ABSTRACTForming 16 percent of the global population and growing, the large numbers of youth particularly in the developing world presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Although better educated than their parents, young men and women are chronically unemployed or in vulnerable work positions. While the majority of young people live in rural areas, these issues have sometimes resulted in large scale migration from rural to urban areas. In forested areas, those who remain are often highly dependent on forests for goods and services for their livelihood. Community forestry has been shown to be an effective strategy for sustainable forest management and livelihoods. Unfortunately, youth have often been marginalized in benefiting from or participating in decision-making about community forests. This is frequently attributed to local, cultural, and traditional norms that give priority to older generations in decision-making. Given their stake in sustainable forest management in a post-pandemic world, as well as their large numbers, it is important to utilize new approaches to bring young men and women together with older generations to address challenges and foster opportunities. This will then capitalize on the knowledge, energy, enthusiasm, innovative ideas, leadership ability, technological literacy, and resilience that youth can contribute to community forest management and rural communities.