The state of being landless or without secure land titles often goes hand in hand with poverty, hunger and expulsion. Land is one of the most important resources of all, especially for the poor. Poor access to land compromises human rights such as the rights to food, water and health.
The exercising of civil rights such as political participation, for example, also partly depends on land ownership. Groups subject to discrimination and marginalisation, such as women, ethnic minorities or people belonging to lower castes, are especially affected by landlessness.
The event shows how access to land, human rights and development are connected, and illustrates with concrete examples how the SDC and other actors contribute to improving access to land and strengthening human rights.
After an opening speech by SDC Director-General Manuel Sager, presentations and a panel discussion will follow with representatives from the SDC, Swiss NGOs and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
International Human Rights Day 2014 [EN] (PDF, 1 Page, 5.0 MB)
