Farmers, pastoralists and indigenous peoples from around the world have expressed concern about the increasing levels of land grabbing and land concentration. These, they say, are embedded in wider political and economic choices, including poorly regulated investment frameworks and poor governance that do not respond to the needs of rural communities. In fact these undermine democratic processes, create unhealthy environments and unequal societies, and perpetuate poverty and hunger.
Statements to that effect emerged from an international gathering convened by the International Land Coalition (ILC) in Antigua, Guatemala, from April 23 to 27, to discuss territorial governance and food security in the context of rapid urbanization and shifting patterns of land use throughout the developing world. The discussions were joined by 273 members and guests from 47 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Africa, Asia and Europe. The importance of the global event in Guatemala, in the heart of Latin America was underlined by the fact that the region has experienced radical transformation of its agricultural sector and its rural landscape.
No region better epitomizes inequalities in land access and the intensity of the disputes for land. Latin America is also is also known for the vigor of its peasant movements and the vibrancy of debates over land rights.
“The 36-year civil war suffered by Guatemala led to both the fragmentation and concentration of land. In response to these disturbing developments, the forum aimed to create a new platform for dialogue and consultation in Guatemala and to forge a more just and inclusive process for this country,” ILC said in a press release.
“Given the extent of commoditization of farmland, transnational land transactions, severe land degradation, and the profound transformation of rural landscapes as a consequence, we have reached a critical period in which states must make genuine efforts to protect the rights of impoverished and vulnerable groups, in particular small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, or increased conflict and instability may jeopardise the economic stability of countries, including Guatemala,” said Madiodio Niasse, Director of the International Land Coalition.
The Rome-based International Land Coalition is a global alliance of civil society and intergovernmental organizations working together to promote secure and equitable access to and control over land for poor women and men through advocacy, dialogue, knowledge sharing and capacity-building and works for secure and equitable access to and control over land.
“We hope that the discussion we have started will open a new era of dialogue and consultation to have better equity in the way this country addresses land issues,” Niasse said.
A significant outcome of the Global Land Forum and the ILC assembly was the Antigua Declaration, which “recognizes the need for land to be looked at not just as a productive asset, but to be valued for the various functions that it plays, including cultural, spiritual and ecological functions; it highlights that land is a means of establishing the dignity and inclusiveness of people.”
