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There are various mechanisms for
interacting with communities: mee-
tings with representatives, talks to the
community and visits. These actions,
together with social monitoring, are
vital for putting together social action
plans.
With regard to the meetings with
community representatives, for two
years the company has held meetings
with various opinion leaders to un-
derstand the concerns, suggestions and
questions of both the company and the
sector.
In 2014 meetings were held with
approximately 100 opinion leaders
belonging to communities within the
area of influence of UPM Forestal
Oriental. Among the main concerns
detected are the increase in transit of
trucks along village roads, causing a
perception of insecurity.
Positive aspects that are repeatedly
mentioned include: access within the
area to better jobs, the marked impro-
vement in general conditions of forest
workers and their training.
The improvement in infrastructure
in terms of providing access to many
areas via roads that were previously
precarious is also seen as a very positi-
ve aspect.
Questions arise on issues such as
the use of water, soil and agrochemi-
cals.
Work with social organisations via
the UPM Foundation is highlighted,
among other things.
Both talks to the community and
visits are aimed at providing informa-
tion on how the forest operations
works and what are the best practices
of UPM Forestal Oriental. The joint
work derived from these exchanges
enriches the link between the company
and the community.
In 2014 there were around 2000
visits to nurseries and more than 400
visits to the Biofore stations located
within the company’s plots.
The company uses external consul-
tants to carry out monitoring of the
communities where it operates. In
addition to a description of the socio-
economic, cultural and spiritual cha-
racteristics of the communities, these
also assess the perceptions of both the
UPM Forestal Oriental
seeks to establish a
balanced and long-
term relationship with
its employees, suppliers,
service providers and
customers, as well as with
neighbouring communities
and the environment. All
of these are fundamental
to the company’s
development policy.