Land rights in Africa : civil society, good governance and land rights in Africa : some reflections
Palmer, Robin
Land is a key asset for people living in poverty and is widely acknowledged to be critical to livelihoods, poverty elimination and sustainable development. It is more than just an asset; it has deep cultural roots and speaks to peoplees sense of identity & of belonging. For many in a structurally adjusted, econ liberalised world it often provides ultimate form of social security Access to land esp important to women and contributes to protection of widowed, abandoned or single women. Lack of access to land symptom & cause of injustice, perpetuating power of rich over poor & men over women. Access for poor under increasing threat from globalisation (WB-promoted privatisation strategies, international trade policies, pressures from foreign and local investors, esp in tourism, & from powerful elites) Land rights always intensely political, complex, and frequently contested. Unresolved land conflicts often become armed conflicts (Middle East, Darfur, Zimbabwe).
Event: FAO Expert Meeting on Good Governance in Land Tenure and Administration
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