Around 900 delegates from 301 organizations in 81 countries took part in the just-ended Global Land Forum in Dead Sea, Jordan. During the final session “Shifting Power for a Common Future”, before the Dead Sea Declaration was read, Fridah Githuku, International Land Coalition Co-Chair, as moderator of the session put this question to each member of a diverse panel: “What gives you hope for the achievement of people-centred land governance?” Here are their answers:
“Seeing the incremental improvement we’ve made in addressing inequality and dispossession gives me hope. Liberia is a nation that has a lot of lessons in this regard. We are seeing momentum; we are seeing the youth rise to the challenge of addressing land rights. That gives me hope.
- Ellen Pratt, Liberia Land Authority
“We have established a common goal, thanks to the Forum, which is a positive element for this. We have stronger pillars to build collective action. Not just in Guatemala, but elsewhere in the world—by joining forces with others.”
- Neydi Juracan, Comité Campesion del Altiplano, Guatemala
“Our success in unifying the struggle gives me hope. Thinking in a common manner, and working collaboratively on family farming projects, to change their systems for the common good, is influencing us all. The concentration of land in few hands will “arrest” our minds. With more political formation, knowing the truth, will ensure the right system.”
- Alberto Broch, Farmers confederation of the expanded Mercosul, COPROFAM
“Where we’ve been able to get to gives me hope. When we were being admitted by International Land Coalition in July 2021, our colleagues at Witness Radio were being arrested, imprisoned or locked up at the police station. When the announcement of our admission came, we were encouraged by it. The diversity of International Land Coalition, testified by our admission, is the key to people-centred land governance.”
- Jeff Wokulira Ssebaggala, Witness Radio, Uganda
“I come from Palestine, where 50% of the people are refugees, evicted from their homes. We have only one option, which is to work together to achieve our aims. The Global Land Forum has demonstrated all the solidarity we receive from around the world.”
- Rula Kamal, Palestinian Farmers Union, Palestine
“The greatest hope is young people. International Land Coalition gave space to young people to participate in the 2022 edition of the Global Land Forum. The action of young people will advance people-centred land governance.”
- Moshin Khan, Ekta Foundation Trust, India
“I have met many Human Rights Defenders, couragous people that talk about land grabbing, despite the risk this entails. And it gives me hope to hear many people talk about a human rights-based approach to climate change as human rights and climate change are entirely interlinked.”
- Kathrin Wessendorf, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
“The diversity of actors, positive energy, and working together to achieve people-centred land governance give me hope.”
- Etienne Coyette, European Commission