This two-week summer school (practical training course) is offered by the University of Groningen in conjunction with the World Bank Group (WB, IFC and MIGA), EBRD, Community Insights Group, Intersocial Consulting, and Frederic Giovannetti. The course promotes understanding about and develops skills in managing the social risks and impacts associated with the development of public and private investment projects (e.g. mines, dams, highways, industry parks, electricity transmission corridors, agricultural developments, etc), and particularly issues related to land acquisition and resettlement. The course has been previously offered in July 2015 and November 2015 and was very highly regarded by the participants.
Research into the displacement of peoples required for large projects generally shows that they can be made worse-off unless the process is properly planned and managed. With the increasing number of international standards (e.g. World Bank safeguard policies, IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights), there are established international standards and good practices that are expected to be met in the development of investment projects. However, the varying cultural and developmental contexts of different countries presents significant challenges to fully implementing these standards.
This training course is based on international standards and good practice, as well as on lessons learned on the ground from practical case studies. It includes a technical site visit to a resettlement site. The course is delivered by some of the world's leading social assessment and resettlement practitioners, specialists from international development institutions, as well as key academics. It seeks to provide capacity building in the practice of managing the social issues of investment projects, focusing especially on land acquisition and resettlement. It is targeted to an international audience of current and intending social performance and resettlement practitioners, and people involved in the governance of projects from public and private institutions. It is also open to advanced students interested in the practical management of social issues associated with development. For those who complete the optional assessment, 5 ECTS credits are available.
For more information, please go to:
http://www.rug.nl/education/summer-winter-schools/summer_schools_2016/land_acquisition/or contact Prof Frank Vanclay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
