Investments in land for agriculture from both international and domestic investors have the potential to support sustainable development. Yet, if investments and the legal frameworks that govern them are not structured carefully and equitably, these projects can cause significant social and environmental degradation. These opportunities and risks will be heightened as demand for agricultural land increases, the global economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, and host nations around the world seek to attract greater levels of investment.
Actors in the public, private, and civil society sectors who are concerned with sustainable development confront multiple challenges in shaping international investment in agriculture to achieve desired outcomes. These challenges include developing robust legal and fiscal frameworks, negotiating equitable deals, mitigating environmental impacts, and protecting human rights.
The 2022 Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture, hosted by the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), will address these issues and more. The training will be held virtually from May 3-13, 2022. The interdisciplinary program provides an overview of pressing issues related to agricultural investments, as well as an introduction to relevant practical skills.
In addition to interactive, live training sessions led by Columbia faculty, CCSI’s research team, and sustainable development practitioners, the training also provides opportunity for dialogue among government, civil society, and private-sector peers from around the world.
CCSI is accepting applications on a rolling basis until March 31, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to increase the likelihood of being accepted.
The program fee will be waived for representatives of civil society organizations (must be registered as a non-profit organization in your home jurisdiction) and government officials from low- and middle-income countries. A program fee of USD $500 applies to all other participants.
More information about the course and the application are available here.
