Key information: The India Land and Development Conference (ILDC) is an annual destination of diverse land actors and enthusiasts from the Global South. Since its inception in 2017, ILDC has brought together over 2500 participants from more than 70 countries, engaging in vital discussions on crucial land-related issues. This unique collective-led international conference has been a catalyst for partnerships, collaborative research, and action, contributing significantly to building a symbiotic land ecosystem in India.

The 7th ILDC is set to be hosted in the picturesque campus of FLAME University, Pune, known as the “Oxford of the East.” As we continue to promote inter-sectoral, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary conversations on land and development, this carefully planned convening aims to connect researchers, practitioners, governments, businesses, and entrepreneurs in an open and inclusive platform.

Background information: The contemporary world is witnessing significant shifts and transitions in land use, tenures, and administration. Global and local initiatives, such as Climate Actions, Sustainable Development Goals, and the agenda of inclusive growth, are impacting land uses and tenures, particularly affecting marginalized communities. 

Amidst these changes, diversity remains the cornerstone of land-people relations in the Global South, where customary tenure, informality, and collective tenures persist despite formal reforms.

An important pillar of the conference is exploring connections. Participants are encouraged to explore the nexus between external transition triggers (such as climate actions, sustainable development goals, etc.) and local diversity contexts in land and development.

Instead of providing clearly defined themes and sub-themes, ILDC 2023 makes an attempt to provide an open framework for participants to choose topics that address the variety of factors at play when it comes to land.