Summerschool: Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Social Sustainability

Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Social Sustainability

This summer school (practical training course) promotes understanding about and develops skills in managing the social risks and impacts associated to the development of public and private investment projects (e.g. mines, dams, highways, industry parks, electricity transmission corridors, agricultural developments, et cetera), and particularly issues related to land acquisition and resettlement. Research into the displacement of peoples following large projects generally shows that, unless properly planned and managed, they are made worse-off.

With the increasing number of international standards (e.g. World Bank safeguard policies, IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights), there are established international standards and good practices that are expected to be met in the development of investment projects. The varying cultural and developmental contexts of different countries also presents significant challenges to fully implementing these standards. There are also concerns about human rights infringements.

This training course will be based on good international practices and standards, lessons learned on the ground and practical case studies, and will include a technical site visit to a resettlement site. The course will be delivered by some of the world’s leading social assessment and resettlement practitioners, specialists from international development institutions, as well as key academics from the University of Groningen, to provide capacity building in the practice of managing the social issues of investment projects focusing on land acquisition and resettlement. It is targeted to an international audience of current and intending social performance and resettlement practitioners and people involved in the governance of projects from public and private institutions, and is also open to advanced students interested in the practical management of social issues associated with development.

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