Seminar series: Water, Energy, Land and Food Security. January 28 |
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January 28, 2015
International Seminar
"Large scale land acquisitions in developing countries: new evidence and development challenges" Giorgia Giovannetti and Nadia Cuffaro (University of Firenze; University of Cassino)
Abstract: The seminar will (i) Present a review of recent evidence on large scale land acquisitions in developing countries and of econometric analyses of their determinants, with a focus on Sub Saharan Africa; (ii) Discuss the development challenges posed by FDI in land, focusing on: land concentration and business models in agriculture, institutional capacity building, role of corporate social responsibility.
"How Institutions Shape Land Deals: The Role of Corruption" Tim Krieger (University of Freiburg)
Abstract: Large-scale land acquisitions, or "land grabs", concentrate in developing countries which are also known for their corruption-friendly setting caused by a weak institutional framework. We argue that corrupt elites exploit this given institutional set-up to strike deals with international investors at the expense of the local population. Using panel data for 157 countries from 2000-2011, we provide evidence that these land deals indeed occur more often in countries with higher levels of corruption.
"European transnational investments in agricultural land: drivers, dimension and geography" Giuseppina Siciliano (Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP), School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London)
Abstract: The research investigates the role that European countries play in the international acquisitions of agricultural land. The drivers of European investments, both outside and within European borders, are analysed looking at energy and agricultural policies, water and land scarcity, and the main scope, i.e biofuel, food or industrial use, of such investments in the main target countries. Results reveal that European land investments in agriculture are mostly driven by EU policies instead of scarcity of land and/or water resources. Results also reveal that most of the countries targeted by EU land investments are developing countries with very low levels of development and abundance of water and land resources.
Venue Room Tafuri, Palazzo Badoer San Polo 2468 IUAV University of Venice
The seminar is part of the series “Water, energy, land and food security. The challenge of large-scale land acquisitions” that will run from October 2014 to January 2015.
Organized by The School of Doctorate of the University of Venice IUAV and the Department of Design and Planning in Complex Environment in collaboration with Venice International University.
Participation is free of charge. Please register here. For further information follow this link
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