The First World Congress of Agroforestry: Working Together for Sustainable Land-Use Systems gathered approximately 700 experts from 82 countries in Orlando, Florida from 27 June to 2 July 2004.

In their closing “Orlando Declaration,” participants defined agroforestry as a “dynamic, ecologically based, natural resources management system that, through the integration of trees on farms, ranches, and in other landscapes, diversifies and increases production and promotes social, economic, and environmental benefits for land users.” They noted that insufficient emphasis has been given to raising awareness among policymakers, natural resource professionals, and farmers regarding the potential of agroforestry and called upon actors at all levels to endorse, use and support agroforestry, particularly in view of the potential for agroforestry systems and technologies to enhance the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The Declaration calls on the international community that supports the UNFF and the biodiversity, desertification and climate change conventions to “endorse the significant role of, and the enormous potentials afforded by agroforestry in accomplishing their targeted objectives and goals.” Finally, the Declaration urges governments to “highlight the role of agroforestry in their poverty eradication strategies, provide funding, and develop policies that promote agroforestry adoption to spark an agroforestry revolution.” For more information visit: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/wca/