These Guidelines were endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at its 38^th (Special) Session on 11 May 2012.

They were developed by the open-ended working group in sessions in June, July and October 2011 and in March 2012 and are based on an inclusive process of consultations that took place in 2009-2010.  The Guidelines are consistent with, and draw on, international and regional instruments, including the Millennium Development Goals, that address human rights and tenure rights. When readers of these Guidelines seek to improve tenure governance, they are encouraged to regularly review such instruments for their applicable obligations and voluntary commitments, and to gain additional guidance.

These instruments are a form of soft law, they are relatively short documents that provide frameworks that can be used when developing strategies, policies, laws, programmes and activities. They are accompanied by a wide range of additional documents, such as supplementary guidelines that provide technical details on specific aspects when necessary, training and advocacy materials, and further guidance to assist with implementation.

The purpose of these Voluntary Guidelines is to serve as a reference and provide guidance to improve the governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests with the overarching goal of achieving food security for all and to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security.

These Guidelines are intended to contribute to the global and national efforts towards the eradication of hunger and poverty, based on the principles of sustainable development and with the recognition of the centrality of land to development, by promoting secure tenure rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests.

The eradication of hunger and poverty, and the sustainable use of the environment, depend in large measure on how people, communities and others gain access to land, fisheries and forests. The livelihoods of many, particularly the rural poor, are based on secure and equitable access to and control over these resources. They are the source of food and shelter; the basis for social, cultural and religious practices; and a central factor in economic growth.

It is important to note that responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests is inextricably linked with access to and management of other natural resources, such as water and mineral resources. While recognizing the existence of different models and systems of governance of these natural resources under national contexts, States may wish to take the governance of these associated natural resources into account in their implementation of these Guidelines, as appropriate.

(From the article)

Pratical uses: Writing a research paper, developing a lesson plan, designing a campaign on land grabbing.

Useful for Trainer, human rights defender, Civil society organization, University student

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