Contact Us | Jobs And Opportunities | Register/Log-in |
  • Search Content

  • Search Options

Search

The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) contributes to the
implementation of pro poor land policies to achieve
secure land rights for all. Read more...

Home arrow News arrow GLTN round table at the World Urban Forum – land governance within a grassroots and gender framework

May 21st, 2012

News
Login
If you do not have an account, please click here to register
Stay Connected
           
   
Facts
GLTN round table at the World Urban Forum – land governance within a grassroots and gender framework
wuf4_logo.gif
The main objective of the round table is to bring GLTN partners (representing multilateral and bilateral organizations, NGOs, academia, training institutions and grassroots organizations) to develop the Networks’ understanding of the overarching concept of land governance, and for GLTN partners to report on current activities. The objective is also to discuss the way forward in regard to the GLTN work plan 2009, also in regard to land governance.

The round table will share normative work completed by network members to date, and discuss options for operationalising these.

This event builds on the GLTN round table held in Vancouver at WUF 3 in 2006, where the network was launched. At the WUF 4 round table, partners will be able assess progress to date, while advancing collaboration on the theme of land governance.

Land governance concerns the rules, processes and organizations through which decisions are made about access to land and its use, the manner in which the decisions are implemented, and the way that competing interests in land are managed. It encompasses statutory, customary and religious institutions. It includes state structures such as land agencies, courts and ministries responsible for land, as well as non-statutory actors such as traditional bodies. It covers both the legal and policy framework for land.

Fundamentally, land governance is about power and the political economy of land. Land tenure is the relationship among people with respect to land and its resources. The rules of tenure define how access is granted to rights to use, control and transfer land, as well as associated responsibilities and restraints. These rules reflect the power structure of society. They develop in a manner that entrenches the power relations between and among individuals and social groups. The quality of governance determines how the following questions are addressed: Who benefits from the current legal and policy framework for land? How does this framework interact with customary institutions? What are the incentive structures for diverse stakeholders, and what constraints do they face? Who influences the way in which decisions about land are made? How are decisions enforced? What recourse do the less powerful members of society have?

Good governance of land means that the organizations and rules result in informed decisions when choosing between competing interests in land. It ensures that decisions are made at the appropriate level, and that land issues are addressed with openness. It requires that all actors are responsible for their actions and that the rule of law is applied to all. Good governance provides a framework for equitable participation in processes to manage competing interests: the processes are open to legitimate stakeholders whether they are rich or poor. It provides the means for all people to participate equitably, recognising that the marginalized and vulnerable need special assistance if they are to participate as equal partners. Even if processes are improved, some people may continue to be excluded because they are not regarded to be legitimate stakeholders. When the law does not recognise the rights that people have to their homes and agricultural land and forests, those people are unable to participate in formal processes to prevent their eviction. Good governance requires that formal recognition is given to all rights to land that are considered legitimate by society.
 
pdf gltn_wuf_invitation 155.42 Kb

pdf gltn_roundtable_wuf_iv 175.82 Kb