Large-scale international land investment in Africa has recently attracted a lot of attention. Many observers describe a new “land rush” or post-colonial wave of land expropriation. Still others perceive opportunities for Africa’s economic development, particularly its historically under-supported agricultural sector. Together with the Institute of Social Anthropology and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), the Swiss Society for African Studies (SGAS/SSEA) is holding a conference on Friday, 11 October 2013, at the University of Bern, where experts will debate the pros and cons of such investment for people’s livelihoods and the environment. Prof. Pauline Peters of Harvard University will deliver a keynote speech on land appropriation and the vulnerability of customary tenure in Africa.
Download complete programme (EN / PDF 567 KB)
