RICS Americas /CASLE/ISTT/UWI

Present

Caribbean Land Conference 2009

Land Development and Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Current Global Financial Dynamics

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACT

A- Background

Over the past 15 months, the global economic landscape has been subjected to many shocks. The full extent and impact of these shocks are yet to be determined. Several countries have officially announced that they are in recession. The prediction is that no nation will be spared of its consequences. The fragile economy of the Caribbean will no doubt be affected. The region which is already challenged with financial leakages due to the devastating impact of natural disasters and a deteriorating tourism sector will now have to deal with reduction in foreign capital investment and decline in foreign traders.

How will these exogenous factors affect the land market? How will land development professionals be affected? What reforms are needed in our land development goals and directions? What lessons have we learnt and what best practices can we implement to ensure that the social and economic objectives of land development are met?

Land conflict is prevalent in the Caribbean and, because of an over-taxed judicial system, often results in violence, injury and physical and economic loss. The problem is compounded by an inadequate information system on land rights and insufficient resources to monitor and enforce existing regulations on occupation, development and use of land. Given the current economic climate, the countries can ill afford the cost and resource depletion of long drawn out conflict. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is therefore of increased importance.

B- Mission

The aim of this conference is to critically examine the impact of the current global financial crisis on the previously vibrant land development in the Caribbean. The conference would seek to identify best practices in prudent land development and chart a course through the current economic crisis. In addition, the aim is to raise awareness of the magnitude and scope of the impact of land conflict on individuals and the society and to demonstrate alternatives to conflict.

C- Objectives

The objectives of this conference are as follows:

1. To facilitate a forum where land developers and stakeholders can dialogue on the impact of the Global Financial Crisis.
2. To explore a concrete plan of actions that will ensure that current gains in land development are not reversed.
3. To share best practices in land development activities.
4. To develop the capacity of land developers in dealing with instability of the financial market.
5. To investigate the cost of land conflict and the impact within the current economies
6. To explore alternative solutions to land conflict beyond costly litigation and violence

D- Call for Papers

This conference is seeking papers based mostly on practical experiences and/or strong theoretical foundations in the following sub-themes:

E- TIMETABLE

F- Target Audience

Land development professionals, financial institutions, senior government officials, politicians, international development partners, academia and community-based organizations and others.

G- Duration

The conference will be held over 2 days; Thursday 19 November and Friday 20 November 2009.

H- Registration Fee

• US $ 400 - Early bird fee until September 25th 2009
• US $ 450 – Standard Price after September 25th 2009
• US $ 230 – Daily rate

I- VENUE

The two-day Conference will be held in Trinidad.

J- SUBMITTING ABSTRACTS

Abstracts of 150-300 words, and up to 5 keywords, should be submitted to the ISTT Office Manager at istt09@mail.tt with copy to Charisse.Griffith-Charles@sta.uwi.edu. Papers will be re-themed to form cohesive sessions.

K- SUBMITTING PAPERS

Full papers must not exceed 10 sides of letter-size paper and must follow the standard format given below. If the paper is accepted, author(s) will be invited to present the paper and have it included in the published conference proceedings. It is a condition of inclusion that at least one of the authors attends the conference. Authors also have the option of submitting extended abstracts of 2 pages in length or Powerpoint Presentations for inclusion in the proceedings.

L- FORMAT OF PAPER:

• Main text of paper - Single spacing, left justification

• Typeface - Times Roman 12 point

• Binding margin - 38 mm

• All other margins - 25 mm

• Title - BOLD UPPER CASE (16 point)

• Names of author(s) - Bold upper and lower case

• Address(es) of author(s) - Italic

• Abstract - Maximum 200 words

• Keywords - Maximum of five, upper and lower case, alphabetical sequence

• Main headings - BOLD UPPER CASE (14 point)

• Sub-headings - Bold upper and lower case

• References - Chicago system, listed at the end alphabetically by author, date

• Figures - Figures are in portrait only (not landscape) and they fit in the margins specified above

M- Conference Organizing Committee

• Mr. Aidan Gregoire – ISTT, RICS -

• Mr. Cleveland Leonard – ISTT, RICS

• Ms. Stephanie Elder-Alexander – ISTT –

• Dr. Jacob Opadeyi; - CASLE, ISTT, RICS, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad

N- Review committee

• Dr. Jacob Opadeyi; - CASLE, ISTT, RICS, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad

• Dr. Charisse Griffith-Charles; - ISTT, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad

• O- Enquiries and mailing

Dr. Charisse Griffith-Charles, Department of Surveying and Land Information, Faculty of Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies. Tel: 1-868-662-2002 ext 2108; Fax: 1-868-662-2002 ext 3700 Email: Charisse.Griffith-Charles@sta.uwi.edu.