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The Oakland Institute is a policy think tank whose mission is to increase public participation and promote fair debate on critical social, economic and environmental issues in both national and international forums.
The Oakland Institute’s trademark is to work in coalitions and networks to strengthen social movements, especially as we forge multi-cultural, cross-border and cross-class alliances. As a policy think tank our work is unique (in that we are bringing new approaches to social change including the awareness of economic, social and cultural rights) as we work with grass roots constituency (faith-based, farm workers, immigrant rights groups, Black farmers, among others) and help bridge policy think tanks with activist networks and social movements.
The Institute engages in three main areas of interrelated program work:
- Bringing a social and economic human rights lens to organizing and policy work
- Reframing the debate on security
- Building strategic alliances to strengthen popular struggles nationally and internationally
The Institute addresses this work through education and advocacy activities in national and international forums. Our aim is not just to come up with a list of new policy solutions but to reframe the basic terms on which public debate takes place. Our goal is to stimulate public discussion and debate while creating an informed citizenry that can craft a new vision of action for the future.
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Resources
Displaying 26 - 30 of 37Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa. Massive Deforestation portrayed as Sustainable Development. The Deceit of Herakles Farm in Cameroon
Includes the destruction of livelihoods for thousands of Cameroonians, the irreversible environmental impact, opposition to the project, deceit and cynicism: the development label of the project.
Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa. Lives on Hold: The Impact of Agrisol’s Land Deal in Tanzania
Includes history of the Katumba settlement, lack of communication about relocation, refugee outlook, environmental impacts.
Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa. Socfin Land Investment in Sierra Leone
Examines various grievances against Socfin in Sierra Leone including lack of proper consultation, transparency and compensation, pressure and intimidation, destruction of livelihoods. Argues it is critical that the Socfin’s deal is urgently reviewed.
Betting on World Agriculture
Betting on World Agriculture: US Private Equity Managers Eye Agricultural Returns, a new report from the Oakland Institute (OI), focuses on the private investment vehicles that advertise and manage investment opportunities in farmlands and agriculture for investors including pension funds, university and foundation endowments, and high net worth individuals.
Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa. Country Report: South Sudan
Includes country context, legal and institutional frameworks, 4 case studies. The new government of South Sudan has begun promoting large-scale private investments as a shortcut to rapid economic development. Recent major land deals threaten to undermine the land rights of local communities. Lack of a regulatory framework encourages opportunistic companies and is a potential source of future conflicts. Need to place limits on land-based investment until an appropriate regulatory framework is in place.