"The purpose of this study is to introduce some of the literature on Common Forest Resource Management from Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is recognized that the three regional reviews of both published and unpublished sources and the issues analyses which constitute this document are not complete. However, it was decided to publish this material in order to present information known to date and identify gaps in our understanding of this important topic. Each of the authors describes and analyses the local systems of Common Forest Resource Management and the role of externally sponsored assistance, particularly through projects. Key issues are highlighted such as systems of tree and land tenure, the general erosion of traditional rights, the reactions of rightholders to change, and measures taken to assert old rights or establish new ones. Rather than examining the same issues across regions, the regional chapters work to highlight the key issues for each given geographic zone. As a result, the same issues are not always confronted for all places..."