The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen has recently launched the Land Governance Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue in the Netherlands to enhance the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land (VGGT).  On April 15, 2015, a Masterclass is organized on the how, what and why of the VGGT.

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) formally endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) in May 2012. The VGGT are the result of an unprecedented negotiation process, chaired by the United States that featured broad consultation and participation by 96 national governments, more than 25 civil society organizations, the private sector, nonprofits and farmers’ associations over the course of almost three years.

The new guidelines provide a set of principles and practices that can assist countries in establishing laws and policies that better govern land, fisheries and forests tenure rights, ultimately supporting food security and sustainable development. The endorsement of the VGGT also has significant importance for the right to food as many violations of the right to food around the world are related to access to natural resources.

Programme Masterclass

13.30-14.00:   Coffee and tea

14.00-14.10:   Welcome by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

14.10-14.40:   Presentation by Michael Windfuhr, Deputy Director of the German Institute for Human Rights

14.40-15.00:   Questions from the audience

15.00-15.30:    Break-out sessions to define eye openers, dilemmas and opportunities per sector (government, private sector, civil society and knowledge institutes)

15.30-15.45:   Break

15.45-16.30:   Short presentations of sector groups; feedback from Michael Windfuhr

16.30-16.50:   Relation VGGT and case team activities

16.50-17.00:   Closing

Registration

Send an e-mail before April 11, 2015 to : there are only 50 places available.