International Institute for Environment and Development 
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| International Institute for Environment and Development |
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September 10, 2004 |
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Conference on Land in Africa: Market Asset or Livelihood Security?November 2nd, 2004 (London, UK) -- A conference on “Land in Africa: Market Asset or Livelihood Security?” will be held in London on November 8-9, 2004. This has been coordinated by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich and the Royal African Society (RAS) in association with key African and European partners. Objectives The conference will bring together a wide range of interest groups to address two key dimensions of land and property rights in Africa today and their implications for future stability, prosperity and poverty reduction. These are: The links between property rights, investment and the generation of economic opportunities in the context of global integration. How best to secure access to land for farmers and the urban poor as the basis for improved livelihoods and food security. The conference is structured around three keynote sessions, plenary discussion and panel sessions. The participants will discuss the conditions under which different approaches to securing rights over land can be successful, taking into account dynamic change at local, regional and international levels. Emphasis will be placed on sharing experience from a range of African countries. The panel sessions will focus on:
It is hoped that key areas of consensus and major gaps in knowledge, policy or investment will be identified and that emerging priorities for action by different players will be proposed and agreed. Such outcomes should provide the elements for a sustained and collaborative way forward. Dr. Camilla Toulmin, Director of IIED, stated, “Land lies at the heart of Africa's social, political and economic life. Rising land values and insecure property rights generate high risks that poorer groups will lose access to this key resource, which is fundamental to their livelihoods. Local people need simple and accessible means to strengthen their rights to land. These will be critical for encouraging further investment by small-holder farmers, and achieving more equitable and sustainable agricultural development.” Over 100 people, including African ministers of land, public sector representatives, business and private sector, academia, farmers’ representatives, land professionals, development agencies and UK parliamentarians have been invited to attend this conference. Contact: Sarah Henson, conference co-ordinator, sarah.henson@iied.org. The agenda is available in PDF format: (agenda 44K). Copyright © 2005 International Institute for Environment and Development. |
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