Continuing Education in Forestry for a World Environment of Rapid Technological, Economic and Social Change

SUMMARY

Changes in social, economic and philosophical attitudes have important effects on the roles of forests and foresters. Doubt is expressed of the adequacy of the traditional form of forestry education to enable foresters to keep up-to-date during their working lives. Continuing education operating in a deliberate, planned manner and as a compulsory fact of forestry education is seen as a possible means of overcoming the danger of professional obsolescence and ensuring that forestry practice both adjusts to, and influences, changing social attitudes to forestry. Some implications of the introduction of this educational concept are considered, particularly with respect to forestry schools, foresters, employers of foresters, professional forestry associations and society at large. Different types of courses appropriate to continuing education activities are identified.