Innovative Approach to Land Conflict Transformation: Lessons learned from the HAGL/indigenous communities’ mediation process in Ratanakiri, Cambodia | Land Portal
Innovative Approach to Land Conflict Transformation: Lessons learned from the HAGL/indigenous communities’ mediation process in Ratanakiri, Cambodia Cover image

Resource information

Date of publication: 
May 2017
Resource Language: 
Pages: 
21
License of the resource: 

In the Mekong region, conflicts between local communities and large scale land concessions are widespread. They are often difficult to solve. In Cambodia, an innovative approach to conflict resolution was tested in a case involving a private company, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), and several indigenous communities who lost some of their customary lands and forests when the company obtained a concession to grow rubber in the Province of Ratanakiri. The approach was developed by CSOs Equitable Cambodia (EC) and Inclusive Development International (IDI) with the support of QDF funding from MRLG. It involved a combination of international pressure on the companies focussing on their financial support and shareholding structure, to request that they respect international standards in terms of land acquisition and support affected communities so that they can substantiate their claims and negotiate properly with the company. This process has led to significant results and the company has committed to return a substantial part of its ELC to communities (13,720 ha). The publication presented here describes the process that led to these results and analyses the lessons learned, including the conditions under which such approach could be replicated elsewhere. This Capitalization Note was produced jointly by MRLG, EC and IDI with the support of Dr. Courtney Work, an independent expert who was contracted to write the study based on available documentation and interviews.


 

Authors and Publishers

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

Courtney Work

Publisher(s): 

Equitable Cambodia was formed out of the localization of the international solidarity organization Bridges Across Borders Cambodia (BABC) and was registered as a Cambodian national non-governmental organization in March 2012.


Project Description

Land governance is at the center of development challenges in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Governments are revising land policies and practices in order to face these challenges. The project aims to (i) assist the emergence of more favorable policies and practices for securing the rights and access of family farmers to land and natural resources; and (ii) to strengthen the effectiveness of concerned stakeholders through learning, alliance building and regional cooperation.


Data provider

Project Description

Land governance is at the center of development challenges in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Governments are revising land policies and practices in order to face these challenges. The project aims to (i) assist the emergence of more favorable policies and practices for securing the rights and access of family farmers to land and natural resources; and (ii) to strengthen the effectiveness of concerned stakeholders through learning, alliance building and regional cooperation.


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