Addis Ababa — The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) on 21 and 22 August 2014 to validate the Communication and Advocacy Strategy of the organization recommended, among others, that networks and coalitions be involved as partners in order to enhance land-related advocacy efforts. This would involve identifying or further facilitating the creation of networks of media, civil society and farmers' organizations at national, regional, and continental levels, to build support for land reforms in Africa. The meeting also recommended that a better connection be made with other land-related frameworks, as well as the post-2015 development agenda.

Mr. Daniel Tanoe, Officer in Charge of the Regional Integration and Trade Division, on behalf of the LPI consortium (African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the African Development Bank), noted that the Communication and Advocacy Strategy was a tool to enhance the implementation of the LPI strategy in support of the African Union agenda on land. He assured participants of ECA and its consortium partners' support in actualizing the recommendations of the EGM.

Another recommendation issued from the EGM was that the Strategy be crafted as a living document, with key actions and priorities that could change to respond to evolution of land issues on the continent. Main recommendations provided by the EGM will contribute to the finalization of the strategy by the LPI. The meeting brought together about 30 experts in communication and advocacy representing various institutions and organizations partnering with the LPI.

The Land Policy Initiative is a joint programme of the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mandate is to facilitate the implementation of the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa.