2018 Conference
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Makarere University in partnership with the Eastern African Land Administration Network (EALAN) this morning hosted the 2018 EALAN Annual Conference. The Conference, held under the theme “Promoting Responsible Land Administration in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region” was officially opened on Tuesday 24th July 2018 by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas
Nawangwe at Royal Suites Hotel Bugolobi.
The 2018 EALAN Conference seeks to attract presentations from different disciplines involved in the use, management and ownership of land both in urban and rural areas. The adopted theme emphasizes the strong relationship that exists amongst communities and their respective occupations in accessing land resources for their livelihood and other necessities of life.
The Vice Chancellor, in his opening remarks noted that Universities can play a leading role in promoting responsible land administration by undertaking research to inform national and regional policies on land governance and land administration, providing relevant education and training in land related disciplines, and by partnering with the industry and communities in outreach activities and knowledge transfer partnerships.
Prof. Nawangwe reassured participants that Makerere University is committed to working with them and their partners in addressing challenges related to land management in the region. He said that
Prof. Nawangwe addresses the conference participants
Makerere welcomes any initiatives involving but not limited to joint research and publication, staff and student exchange and joint graduate programs. “We believe that it is only though cooperation, coordination and mutual support that we shall be able to address Africa’s land related challenges.” he said.
The EALAN Conference is expected to receive presentations that address theoretical and practical problems that individuals and governments will be struggling with when these relationships break or are modified and affect the levels of access to land resources.
The objectives of the conference are to:
- Inform on policy issues to be addressed when undertaking land alienation for large scale investments and related undertakings such as mining.
- Inform on areas that require the attention of the Eastern and Central African governments’ action to forestall imminent land related disputes and conflicts.
Inform on action areas that municipal governments may have to address to avoid unnecessary relocations and the resulting demolitions.- Provide a forum for sharing of ideas, presentation of research findings in the areas of land administration and governance within the Eastern Africa region and discussion of professional issues that are crucial in realizing streamlined land administration for sustainable use of resources.
- Crystallize the various discussions into strategic ways forward that will guide our fast growing cities within a framework of orderly urban development.
A policy dialogue session will highlight areas that are of mutual concern with proposals for changes. The 2018 EALAN Conference will run up to the 25th of July 2018.