IATP | 14 February 2013

A New York Times commentary on February 5, 2013, The Global Farm Land Rush, details the astounding scale of land grabs around the world, leading to the displacement farmers and peasants. At stake is the issue of who will own and control the world's natural resources. Speaker information: Alexandra Spieldoch is an independent consultant on gender, food security and sustainable development issues. She has worked with international NGOs, farmers' associations and foundations globally for many years. Alexandra is a contributor to a new book on land grabs from Island Press, The Global Farms Race: Land Grabs, Agricultural Investment, and the Scramble for Food Security. Redwan Hamaza is chair of the Oromia Human Rights and Justice Council in Minneapolis, and an advocate for the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Oromos and other peoples in Ethiopia. Redwan will talk about land grab policies of the current Ethiopian regime and its impact on the indigenous life. IATP President Jim Harkness will host and share his insights to land grabs in China.