[adapted from UNDP] May, 2008- This UNDP discussion paper ‘Pro-Poor Land Tenure Reform and Democratic Governance’ provides a review of how different types of land tenure reform relate to decentralization and local governance, in theory and in practice.  The discussion suggests that in order to create more democratic and transparent local management of land resources, special mechanisms to protect women against direct and indirect discrimination, as well as the establishment of local land committees and land tribunals for conflict resolution are needed.

See attached the 10 points of the agreement signed around land rights between Ekta Parishad and the Indian Government.

Caribbean countries in general have key issues affecting land and natural resources tenure.
These issues include; insecure and informal tenure, illegal occupation, use and degradation of
environmentally sensitive and other unsuitable land, bureaucratic and lengthy land
administration procedures, inequity in access and distribution of land, and land conflicts
exacerbated by overburdened legal systems and inadequate land information systems.

The present study – looking at the land governance situation in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – has been prepared to provide a base for discussion for the regional consultation meetings on the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and other Natural Resources.

This discussion paper has been prepared by FAO’s Land Tenure and Management Unit to seek views and comments on voluntary guidelines on responsible governance of tenure of land and other natural resources.

Voluntary guidelines are human-rights based documents that provide a framework and reference point for national and international policies. They need to be derived from international agreements and credible examples of good practice if they are to command wide support. This paper is based on 56 authoritative international documents from which 14 principles about land and natural resources tenure have been derived.

The FAO initiative for the adoption of guidelines for land and natural resources tenure is timely as it would fill a serious policy gap. Different constituencies like women, indigenous and tribal peoples, fisherfolks, peasants and landless, forest communities, pastoralists, urban poor and other communities have been organizing themselves in order to articulate their views and demands regarding land and natural resources tenure. Their voices should be fully taken into account throughout a future process of adopting guidelines on governance of land tenure and natural resources.

Good governance is worldwide recognized as an important precondition for resolution of the most of troublesome problems of humanity; its role is tremendous in eradication of poverty and promotion of development. This study aims to provide a reflection of policies, status and trends of governance in the region of Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The emphasis is made on governance in land and natural resources tenure and administration

This publication is intended to assist with reading the Guidelines by highlighting some of the main points of paragraphs. However, it is not a substitute for the Guidelines.

This is a fact sheet presenting the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security

Voluntary Guidelines of Tenure Brochure