Land and vulnerable people in a world of change

May 2008

Millennium Development Goal One, to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, cannot be reached unless the ability of women and men to maintain access to land and natural resources can be secured. Current global trends, however, are likely to make this possibility more remote for large sections of the world’s poorest, who are unable to successfully compete for access to land. These trends include: rising food and commodities prices, climate change, conversion of land to agrofuels, and carbon trading mechanisms. The evident impact of these trends has so far been largely to increase the precariousness of those already under the poverty line. However, some trends – such as rising food prices – may also offer possible opportunities that poor land-users could take advantage of, if they are able to maintain access to land. But, improved infrastructure, market access, access to inputs and technology and access financing in sustained development support programmes are also required in order for small-scale farmers to benefit from these opportunities.
The magnitude of the challenges faced, and possible opportunities, demands a concerted response by stakeholders in governments, the UN system, and civil society. Through the CSD16, members and partners of the International Land Coalition are attempting to facilitate opportunities for increased collaboration and upscaling of efforts to secure the land rights of vulnerable populations. In the immediate-term this could involve coordination and harmonization of efforts by development partners, research and stock-taking, heightened global advocacy, and an improved sharing of experiences so as to identify success and scale up implementation. In the longer term the livelihoods and dignity of millions of poor land users will depend upon the willingness of their governments and development partners to make available the mechanisms for them to successfully defend their rights to land and natural resources on a global stage.
This document contains the Land Coalition Issues paper for the Commission of Sustainable Development Session 16.

By: International Land Coalition

 
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