THE GLOBAL LAND RUSH, What’s real and what are the myths?

Rushing for solutions

DATE: March 24, 2011

VENUE: Utrecht University (Boothzaal, Library, de Uithof) 13.00-17.30

Aims of the conference
This seminar is organized by International Development Studies IDS (Utrecht University) and
LANDac (see www.landgovernance.org), in collaboration with Development, the Society of
International Development (SID International) and SID Netherlands Chapter (SID NL). It
aims to give an update of the debate about large-scale land acquisitions, and assess the
implications for equitable and sustainable development.

Background
The whole world seems up for grabs if you read national and international papers. In the last
few years there are increasing reports on large-scale land acquisitions by investors, domestic
and foreign, in the Global South. Some land deals aim at securing food production for landscarce
but increasingly wealthy countries such as China, India and the Gulf states. Others are
motivated by environmental concerns, and the related rising demand for bio-fuels. At the
same time, rapid urbanization in the South also demands an increasing toll in terms of rural
land. Yet other land deals may serve no other purpose than speculation. Whatever the
purpose, there is growing alarm about increasing land inequality in societies where many
local people continue to depend on access to land for their livelihood. Not surprisingly, landrelated
conflicts are on the rise. The sense of urgency is growing. At the same time
information about these developments is scattered and does not provide a coherent narrative
of the state of play. What’s real and what are the myths?
Short presentations will share insights of studies undertaken in different parts of the world. In
a dialogue with participants the focus will be on these questions:
• What is actually happening in terms of ‘land grabbing’?
• What does this mean for different stakeholders, especially ‘local’ people?
• What can be done to overcome problems?

Join us for insights, discussion and the launch of the Special Issue of the Journal Development
on Global Land Grabs!

Collaborating institutes (LANDac):
IDS (Utrecht University) – DDE (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – African Studies
Centre (Leiden) – Disaster Studies (Wageningen University) – Royal Tropical Institute (KIT)
Amsterdam – Agriterra – Hivos (Den Haag) – Triodos Facet.

Programme
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch (optional)

13.00 – 13.05 Intro
Guus van Westen (IDS, LANDac)

13.05 – 13.50 What’s the rush?
Oane Visser (RU): Russia’s vast land masses at stake. Large scale land acquisitions and
responses by emerging rural movement (confirmed)
Waheed Kadiri (Nigeria). Land Alienation and Sustainability Issues in the Peri-urban
Interface of South-West Nigeria (confirmed depending on visa)
Mayke Kaag/ Marieke Kruis (IDS, ASC): land conflicts in Senegal revisited: continuities and
emergent dynamics (confirmed)

13.50 – 14.45 Glocal realities: Is big or small beautiful?
Paul Burgers and Rizki Pandu Permana (IDS). Fuelling Conflicts: Overcoming asymmetry
between global interests in Vietnam and Indonesia (confirmed)
Guus van Westen and Men Prachvuthy (IDS). The effects of new economic land concessions
to external investors on indigenous people in north eastern Cambodja (confirmed)
Gemma van der Haar and Nynke Douma (WU): land governance in the context of conflict:
Congo (working title)(confirmed).
Joost Nelen (SNV): Agrarian change under the radar screen: Rising farmland acquisitions by
domestic investors in francophone Africa (confirmed).

14.45 – 15.00 Coffee Break

15.00-15.30 New research initiatives
Sandra Evers, Aad Kessler (WU), Rosanne Rutten (VU), Marcel Rutten (ASC), Annelies
Zoomers (IDS).

15.30 – 17.30 Policy responses: Roundtable & launch special issue of Development
Roundtable discussion with René Grotenhuis (SID NL and Cordaid), Wendy Harcourt (SID),
Joost Nelen (SNV), Duncan Pruett (Oxfam Novib) and Frits van der Wal (Min. Foreign
Affairs)(all confirmed).

Festive closure with Journal launch by Wendy Harcourt & Annelies Zoomers (short reflection
and presentation of the special issue)
Closure and Drinks

Registration:
If you are interested to attend, please send an email to sid-nl@socires.nl (Registration
LANDac/SID Global Land Rush' in de subject-line) before March 22 (capacity limited to 125
persons).