Topics and Regions
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Location
Self-Sovereign Identity and Property Rights
An Introduction to Self-Sovereign Identity
Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a new paradigm for creating digital identity systems that function more like identity does in the physical world, where every person has a unique and persistent identity which is represented to others by means of a collection of credentials. SSI allows people to collect digital “credentials”—pieces of evidence about their identity—attested to by various external sources of authority.
Machine Learning and Property Rights
An Introduction to Machine Learning
Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables systems to programmatically “learn” and improve from past experience. Computers use algorithms and statistical models to “learn” patterns and insights from sample sets of data (often called “training data sets”), and apply those insights to make intelligent predictions and decisions about much larger sets of data.
Dual-Band GNSS and Property Rights
An Introduction to Dual-Band GNSS
The vast majority of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-enabled consumer devices—like phones, tablets, smart watches, and car navigation systems—use single-frequency receivers, which are only accurate to about five meters, in good conditions.12 By contrast, dual-band satellite receivers use two different frequencies of signals to calculate positions.
Drones and Property Rights
An Introduction to Drones
Land surveying and mapping are evolving rapidly due to advances in unmanned aerial system, or drone, technology. A drone is a flying machine—either fixed-wing or rotary—that is remotely controlled or flies autonomously through software-controlled flight plans. Because they are unmanned, drones are cheaper and smaller than manned aircraft, and can perform tasks too expensive or dangerous with a pilot on board.
Blockchain and Property Rights
An Introduction to Blockchain
Blockchain, at its most basic, is database technology. It is a type of distributed ledger, that can be concurrently accessed and updated by multiple users. Members of a blockchain network collectively validate new data through consensus algorithms and add the information to “blocks,” which are linked cryptographically into a “chain” (hence the term blockchain). As a result, this decentralized network creates an agreed-upon record of the time and origin of every data input, stored on many independent computers.
From Bullets to Banners and Back Again? The Ambivalent Role of Ex-combatants in Contested Land Deals in Sierra Leone
The rise of land deals poses unpredictable risks to war-torn societies, exposing them to the violent folds of the global economy. In Sierra Leone, commercial land leases have perpetuated the chieftaincy monopoly, further curtailed social mobility, and sparked particular resentment among youths and ex-combatants. Drawing on the concept of the “war machine,” I analyse how Kamajor militia fighters shape contestation against land deals and explore the attendant risks for remobilisation and conflict transformation.
2 Million Acres of Land for Community Ownership, Control
The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and three Liberian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have agreed to work with 24 communities in eight of the country’s 15 counties to bring two million acres of land under full community ownership and control.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday at the LLA’s office in Monrovia, which is aimed at implementing the Land Rights Law of 2018. The other NGOs partners are Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Parley-Liberia.
Why carbon might tell us less than we think
From the gases emitted through a car’s tailpipe to the tree biomass stored in the Amazon, carbon is no doubt the leading indicator of climate change today. But does a ton of carbon emitted by an aircraft 10 kilometers above the North Atlantic really equate to a ton of carbon stored in a mangrove forest in Indonesia – and, more importantly, can one really be ‘offset’ by another?
No guidelines on eviction of Adivasis cultivating forest land
Sudden eviction by Forest Department leaves tribals scared
Reclamation of forest lands, especialy from the possession of poor Adivasi encroachers, has been a messy business as seen during eviction of Guthikoyas in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district in September 2017 and Kolams in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on June 12. It is quite evident that lack of clear guidelines for resuming encroached forest lands had the Forest Department evict the encroachers rather ‘crudely’ resulting in a sudden upheaval in their lives which includes loss of shelter and livelihood.
Insufficient data compromising achievement of gender equality
Insufficient data has been cited as a major hindrance to the realization of gender equality especially in land ownership.
According to UN Women statistics, 80% of the indicators for gender equality across SDGs are lacking data.
UN Women Chief Statistician Papa Seck says lack of political good will and technical challenges are to blame.