Social Safeguards In Developing Countries

Developing countries are attractive places and territories for new and huge investments in several industries, such as energy, agribusiness, mining and technology, among others.

Although desirable, it represents a great challenge due to weak territorial planning and inadequate birth control policies (some official data source shows 7.5 the annual population growth rate).

So, a demographic explosion has an immediate consequence on the demand and occupation of new lands and a high concentration of population in already habited areas.

The governments of these countries, often beset by civil wars for long periods, need to concentrate more on having a robust and consensual legal framework that is appropriate and balanced.

On the other hand, the advantages offered by the demands of the external investment market are the social and environmental safeguards for local communities.

Proper compliance with the updated national legislation and alignment to the international legal framework of industry best practices are essential elements to harmonize and capitalize on the added value of the investment for economic and social development.

Through careful planning, the negative impacts of these investments' activities (e.g., land acquisition, temporary or definitive physical and economic displacement of communities, among others) are appropriately balanced. If not possible, they…