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The number of registered participants has reached approximately 160. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Prague.
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Practical information about the conference (transport, accommodation, etc.) can be found in the attached documents below.
6th International Forest Policy Meeting
Prague, 12–15 May 2026
„Perception versus Reality in Forest Policy“
Forest policy is shaped by a complex interplay of scientific knowledge, political agendas, diverse interests on forest ecosystem services, and public perceptions. Yet discrepancies frequently emerge—between policy objectives and their implementation, between expert assessments and societal understandings, and between institutional narratives and on-the-ground realities. These mismatches reflect the dual nature of forest policy: shaped both by objective data and subjective perceptions, which are influenced by cultural, historical, and socio-economic contexts.
The 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6) will focus on the tension between perception and reality in forest policy, with a particular interest in the post-socialist transformation and current dynamics in forest governance in Eastern countries within the EU. However, the conference remains open to global perspectives and invites comparative case studies that shed light on how similar challenges are addressed in diverse contexts.
The conference will explore the underlying factors that contribute to these mismatches, including media narratives, stakeholder conflicts, regional disparities, and the selective use of scientific evidence. We are particularly interested in approaches to measuring perceptions—qualitatively and quantitatively—through the assessment of societal attitudes, stakeholder priorities, and expert evaluations.
A central question will be how to bridge perception gaps through participatory governance, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and transparent, effective communication. Contributions are encouraged to address how such misalignments influence policy outcomes—especially in conservation strategies, land use conflicts, and the integration of traditional or indigenous knowledge in forest decision-making.
When and where?
The IFPM6 meeting is a 3day in-person event (+ 1 day excursion) organised by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Technical University in Zvolen, and will take place in the CZU Campus in Prague from May 12th to May 15th.
Conference Venue
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU)
Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences
Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague – Suchdol Czech Republic
Practical information (tips for accommodation, transportation etc. will be added soon).
Deadlines and key dates
- September, 2025: Call for papers published
- December 31, 2025: Submission deadline for proposed panels and papers
- January 31, 2026: Acceptance/rejection of panels/papers.
- February 2026: Registration opens
- March 31, 2026: Deadline for registration
- April 15, 2026: Conference program published
- May 12, 2026: Start of conference
- May 15, 2026: Excursions
Fee and registration
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Registration is closed, payment gateway is closed.
Organizing committee: FLD CZU and TUZVO
- Vilém Jarský (jarsky@fld.czu.cz), Jaroslav Šálka (salka@tuzvo.sk), Petra Palátová (palatovap@fld.czu.cz), Radek Rinn (rinn@fld.czu.cz)
CALL FOR PANELS AND PAPERS -Submission closed
Publication opportunities
There will be a possibility to publish high quality papers in special issue of Forest Policy and Economics and also in Forests Monitor. 3 best young researchers' contributions (selected presentations/abstracts) will be also awarded.
Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. Max KrottUniversity of Göttingen The key note discusses solutions for three major issues: How to optimize the perception of forest policy within science, how to effectively transfer the scientific results into practice of forest policy making and how to mobilize people and financial resources for forest policy research. The conclusions are based on experiences of 45 years research in forest policy in five continents. |
Dr. Agata A. KonczalWageningen University In this talk, the audience is invited on a journey into the forests of Central Europe. The aim is to reflect on the dynamics and characteristics of forestry and forest policy in this part of the continent during the past three decades. Using the notion of a post-socialist forest as a guiding theme, the cultural, historical, and political dynamics that have been shaping forest management, policy, and their social perception and acceptance will be discussed. By examining Poland, this presentation utilizes the notion of post-socialism to explain the ongoing transformation of forest management and forest policy, as well as the social conflicts that surround them. |
Dr. Helga PülzlEuropean Forest Institute The talk will look into how EU forest governance has evolved and which policy objectives are central and why implementation remains a challenge. |
The CVs of the keynote speakers are available below.
Tentative program
- Tuesday, 12th: keynote speeches + panel discussion; parallel sessions (after lunch break) The conference program will start with keynote speeches followed by a panel discussion tackling different viewpoints on current key issues in forestry including experience with bark beetle calamity and its consequences in the Czech Republic.
- Wednesday, 13th: parallel sessions + conference dinner
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On Wednesday, May 13, a conference dinner will be held for all participants and is included in the registration fee; further details will be available in the final programme.
- Thursday, 14th: parallel sessions + keynote speech, PhD school conclusion, closing of the conference
- Friday, 15th: field trips
EXCURSIONS
Kinský forest property (15/5/2026)
Křivoklátsko Forestry Park (15/5/2026)
Royal Game Reserve Stromovka, Prague (15/5/2026)
Krkonoše National Park (14/-15/5/2026)
Detailed information about each excursion will be available for participants during registration.
Questions?
"For questions, please contact ifpm6@fld.czu.cz or contact any member of the organizing committee.
IFPM6 PhD School on Forest Policy and Governance
Zvolen, Slovakia, 5–10 May 2026 Linked with the 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6), Prague, 12–15 May 2026
Information about the summer school is available in the attached PDF file below.