Members of Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Gather in Nairobi

The Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) held its 9^th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, from 24-27 July 2017. The event was hosted by the University of Nairobi’s Department of Geospatial and Space Technology at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies. The theme of the conference was ‘Promoting Land Administration and Governance for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa’. Over a hundred participants attended the conference, which featured more than 16 presentations including keynotes. The network mainly comprises academic institutions with land administration programmes. The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) based in Nairobi is also a member.

One of the key discussion items was the development of a more purpose-oriented land administration approach. Land administration coverage is still incomplete in most of EALAN’s member states, and traditional and conventional approaches have not achieved the desired results so far. Many new tools and approaches are available today, including more fit-for-purpose approaches. At the conference, there was agreement that – besides the conventional, educated approaches in surveying and land administration – universities should also embrace new and innovative approaches. These include, for example, the use of imagery to support initial data acquisition for land administration. Rwanda has experience in this respect. Another important issue discussed was a proper, organised linkage between cadastre and registry.

Awareness and education

Gender-sensitive and pro-poor curricula are relevant. EALAN has agreed to take the lead and set the agenda in this development, motivated by the fact that all knowledge is available and well represented within the network. EALAN is willing to organise this required change through the provision of short courses, education and comparative research. Existing partnerships with global partners will be further developed and new partnerships will be organised where needed – including with donors.

EALAN provides its members with a platform for mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences in land administration and land governance to foster the provision of quality services and sound performance. One of EALAN’s ambitions is to create awareness, and to educate stakeholders and especially vulnerable groups on the importance of land rights and land-right documentation. The network organises training and performs research on land administration and land governance for conflict resolution and regional stability. It also advocates greater transparency in land governance and encourages application of best practices and fit-for-purpose approaches.

EALAN envisions a society where land administration supports good governance and all land rights are recognised. The key guiding values in EALAN’s mission include: trust, cooperation, value addition, people centricity, inclusiveness/equity, transparency and rule of law.