FAO and the Government of Brazil launched a course on land administration and governance of tenure in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Brazil, through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE) and the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA), launched the virtual course "Land administration and governance of tenure in the framework of the Voluntary Guidelines on Governance of Tenure (VGGT)" for Latin America and the Caribbean, with support from FAO Campus.

The initiative is supported by FAO Campus and was developed within the framework of the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Program. This training is part of the joint effort between FAO, ABC/MRE, and INCRA to promote the implementation of the DGVT in the context of national food security in the region's countries. 

The course is aimed at about 100 government officials and civil society representatives, and its main objective is to develop comprehensive competencies in the understanding and application of land administration and responsible governance of tenure, identifying challenges and opportunities for its implementation in territorial contexts.

FAO Regional Office Land Tenure and Natural Resources Officer Amparo Cerrato explained that this training contributes to understanding the voluntary guidelines, land administration in the region, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Likewise, the official stressed Brazil's commitment to implementing the DGVTs, which is also reflected in the organization of this course.

For INCRA's deputy president, Débora Guimarães, actions such as this course, which are part of a South-South cooperation initiative, are a space to circulate knowledge and share experiences in the search for solutions for the design and implementation of land access programs and policies.

According to Plínio Pereira, ABC project analyst, the training is also an opportunity for Brazil to share knowledge and learn, which represents the spirit of cooperation.

Course structure and contents

The course will last eight weeks and will enable participants to understand the fundamental concepts of land administration and responsible governance of tenure and apply them to practical situations related to land governance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The course will have virtual tutorials in synchronous and asynchronous mode and will address topics such as: key concepts in land administration and responsible governance of tenure; land administration systems, key components, cadastre and land registry; and the analysis of land tenure governance, among others.

The contents seek to add knowledge that will contribute to fairer and more responsible land governance, with a view to better production and a better life in the region.