Breaking Silos: SDG 16, Gender and Land-Related SDGs

"Breaking Silos: Showcasing Integrated Solutions to Help Achieve SDG 16, Gender and Land-Related SDGs" | Tuesday, July 16, 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm | Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN | 871 United Nations Plaza, New York

Organizers: FriEnt Working Group on Peace and Development, Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN

According to the joint UN/Worldbank report “Pathways for Peace”, access to land, water and extractives is among the key risk areas for violent conflict – which is coming under more stress with the effects of climate change, population growth, urbanization, and the expansion of large-scale agriculture. However, conflicts over land and resources do not necessarily have to lead to violence. Struggles can be a positive force for catalytic change – for example, when previously landless poor are taken seriously and gain access to land.

The intention to reduce and prevent violence at all levels (SDG 16.1) needs to be cross-sectoral and linked to the access to land and natural resources as highly relevant factors. Emphasizing the indivisibility of the SDGs means to recognize these inter-linkages and encourage the identification of synergies and the development of integrated approaches and coherent policies.

Therefore, this side-event asks how cross-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approaches can help to advance SDG 16, gender and land-related goals. What are the inspiring success stories that are showing results and impacts? What are strategies of civil society networks to sustain peace and prevent violence in the context of land? What are the good practices that can be replicated and scaled-up? What are the gaps and constraints and how should we address them? Looking ahead: What steps should we take to accelerate integration on the global and the local level?

To help answer these questions, the Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt) has compiled a dossier with good practices, political achievements and challenges, success stories and lessons learned in the prevention of violence in struggles over land and natural resources. The findings of this dossier will serve as a framework for the side event.

An introduction by German Parliamentary Secretary of State Dr. Maria Flachsbarth will be followed by three brief presentations of integrated solutions in linking SDG 16, gender and land related SDGs. A subsequent panel will discuss key challenges and opportunities to accelerate integrated implementation.

Opening Address:

• Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany

Showcasing Integrated Solutions:

• Bangladesh: overcoming a discriminatory law on land and property ends decades of violent conflicts, Ms. Rowshan Jahan, Deputy Director of ALRD and former board member of the International Land Coalition
• Sierra Leone: integrating land and conflict prevention, Mr. Santigie Sesay, Senior Communications Officer at the Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF)
• Bolivia: inclusive institutions on the local level matter to prevent conflict escalation, Dr. Kristina von Stosch, Civil Peace Service/Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Panel Discussion:

• Barrie Freeman, Deputy Head and Political Director, UN Peacebuilding Support Office
• H.E. Dr. Francis Kai-Kai, Minister of Economic and Development Planning, Sierra Leone (tbc)
• Rowshan Jahan, Deputy Director of ALRD and ILC Board member
• Santigie Sesay, Senior Communications Officer at the Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF)
• Dr. Kristina von Stosch, Civil Peace Service/Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Q&A:

• The event will be facilitated by Marc Baxmann and Caroline Kruckow, FriEnt

+++ Refreshments and a light buffet will be served during the event. Please RSVP no later than July 12, 2019 by confirming your participation to Ms. Brigitte Kirschner (info@frient.de) stating your name, position and affiliation. For security purposes, a photo-ID is mandatory to gain access to the premises of the German Mission. +++