5 November: The International Land Coalition (ILC) has convened a meeting of non-regional civil society organization (CSO) members for the first time ever. Approximately 30 representatives of farmers’ organizations, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and research organizations came together to discuss land issues, strengthen peer-to-peer linkages and strategize for the ILC’s future.

The meeting, which met from 3-4 November 2014 in Rome, Italy, aimed to consolidate the global non-CSOs, approve the non-CSO engagement strategy, plan collective action for the 2015 ILC workplan, and contribute to the development of the ILC strategic framework 2016-2020.

Furthermore, a session was held on ILC global, regional and national initiatives, including those related to: women’s land rights; commercial pressure on land; human rights; community land rights; rangeland tenure; and territorial rights of indigenous peoples.

The meeting also included presentations on: a land portal; a database on best practices; regional initiatives in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa; and national engagement strategies in ILC priority countries.

Meeting participants also discussed: which global, regional and national political processes to engage in; areas of research and monitoring and methods; prioritization of research activities; and empowerment and capacity building.

During the 2013 Assembly of Members, the ILC determined that despite the good organization of groups within the regions, the involvement and cooperation of non-regional civil society within the Coalition should be strengthened. [Meeting Website] [Meeting Agenda][Non-Regional CSO Platform]