The 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6) will take place in Prague in the spring next year, bringing together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss one of the most pressing issues in forest governance: the gap between perception and reality.

Under the theme “Perception versus Reality in Forest Policy,” the conference will examine how scientific knowledge, political agendas, and public expectations intersect with the practical realities of forest management. Organizers highlight that discrepancies often emerge—between policy goals and their implementation, expert knowledge and public opinion, and official narratives and experiences on the ground.

Particular attention will be given to forest governance in Eastern European countries, especially in the context of post-socialist transitions. However, the program remains global in scope, welcoming comparative case studies from around the world.

Key topics include the role of media narratives, stakeholder conflicts, and the selective use of science in shaping forest debates. Researchers will also explore methods for capturing public perceptions, from qualitative assessments of social attitudes to quantitative surveys of stakeholder priorities.

A central question guiding the discussions is how to close the gap between perception and reality. Proposed solutions include participatory governance, broader stakeholder engagement, and more transparent communication strategies. Contributions will also consider the consequences of mismatched perceptions for conservation, land use conflicts, and the inclusion of traditional or Indigenous knowledge in decision-making.

The four-day event—three days of sessions and one day of excursion—is organized by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague in cooperation with the Technical University in Zvolen. It will be held on the CZU campus in Prague from May 12 to 15, 2026.

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 15, 2026: Deadline for registration 
• April 15, 2026: Conference program published
• May 12, 2026: Start of conference
• May 15, 2026: Excursions

Fee and registration

• The conference fee is €300 (regular), €220 PhD students. Extra fee will be payed for the summer school in Zvolen (to be added) and for excursion (to be added). Registration will open in January 2026.

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)
• For more information, visit the event website