To celebrate 2011 as the International Year of Forests, Michigan State University is hosting an international science and policy conference October 23 to 25 for the MSU and Greater Lansing community. The conference will include prominent speakers from around the world, and will highlight the global concern for forests related to climate change, biodiversity, sustainable development, human needs and international policy.

Keynote speaker Jan McAlpine, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York, will open up the conference on October 23 at 6:45pm at the Hannah Community Center. Her presentation will focus on the domestic and global challenges in creating sustainable forests, while still maintaining economic development.

The conference also features keynotes from:

·         Gem Castillo, President, Resource & Environment Economics Foundation of the Phillipines

·         Marko Katalina, Senior Partner, Dasos Capital, Finland

·         Albert Mwangi, African Development Bank

·         Boen Purnama, Senior Advisor, Indonesian Ministry of Forestry

The festivities include a celebration of United Nations 66^th Anniversary put on by MSU and the United Nations Association-USA, Greater Lansing Chapter.

For more information on this event or the United Nations International Year of Forests, contact International Studies and Programs at 517-355-2350 or visit www.for.msu.edu/goes.