The countries of CEE are presently undergoing significant political and economic change. These changes are complex and affect almost every domain of activity including the forestry sector. Within the countries, for the most part, there has been a fairly radical change in forest ownership patterns - an explosion in the numbers of private forest owners, many with small and fragmented holdings. There is also the need for efficient forest use and participatory approaches to forest decision-making. External influences on the sector include the UNCED commitments and the desire, in many cases, to adhere to the EU framework. Forestry must adapt to these changes and requirements. To meet these demands, especially to support private owners for sustainable forest management and to better integrate forestry and agriculture, the development of dynamic forestry extension systems is essential. These systems, not necessarily totally governmental, should benefit from the range of existing and emerging organizations and skills. There will continue to be needs for technical input but in addition the tasks of group promotion, management, and coordination are important. Meeting these new needs will require changes in the forestry education and outreach as well as in the other forestry domains.
While there may be some general trends, each of the countries in this region is unique, with its own history, ecology, concerns and approach. Extension systems, while incorporating the lessons learned and the principles of good extension work generally, will have to be inspired by local conditions and circumstances, ecological, historical, social and cultural. There is a broad scope for intra-regional and international cooperation and exchange on extension issues. However, there is some urgency as the economic hardships of transition and their ramifications may run counter to long term sustainable forest management. The sooner flexible systems with high levels of participation and commitment by all partners are developed, the more likely sustainable forestry has the chance to become a reality.
