All resettlement projects are complex. This training course has been developed to focus on the areas of greatest complexity, whether that be due to factors intrinsic to the planned resettlement activities or the context in which the resettlement is being conducted. In many cases, complexities stemming from both directions are experienced at the same time. Resettlement principles and guidance provide an excellent foundation for what to do, but they can’t and don’t anticipate the sometimes contested and often complex decisions which need to be taken to balance different objectives and oftentimes different priorities. For example, should a project seek to minimize physical displacement for which a robust management approach exists at the expense of greater economic displacement for which management measures are less effective? If resettlement is to be conducted from a human rights lens, what should change? If a project experiences delays during resettlement implementation, what sort of impacts might this generate for communities and how can they be mitigated? How can livelihoods be restored when the opportunity to continue with the same livelihood is no longer a possibility?

The course draws heavily upon the more than 40 years combined global experience of the two trainers and provides opportunities for participants to share the challenges they are experiencing in a collaborative environment to draw lessons from the experience held within the room. While the trainers have much to share, they also see their role as facilitators of a conversation and nurturers of a network of resettlement specialists which will endure beyond the course.

Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: At least 2 years of direct experience designing, implementing or auditing resettlement and/or livelihood restoration activities, university degree, and familiarity with the IFC Performance Standards or similar.

Language: English

Duration: 2 days (18-19 April)

Min/Max: 15-40

Price: $560

Instructors: Liz Wall, Shared Resources Pty Ltd (Australia) and Amy Sexton, Sexton Consulting (Australia)

Liz Wall is an independent consultant with more than 20 years of global experience assessing and addressing social impacts associated with large projects in developing countries, almost all of which have generated some level of resettlement. As a former IFC social specialist she is an expert in the implementation of the IFC Performance Standards and has worked in over 40 countries. She has extensive resettlement experience in a wide range of contexts and countries ranging from mine sites to waste landfill facilities. 

A New Zealander by birth, Liz has lived and worked in four continents and is devoted to helping communities in developing countries experience the positive benefits and minimize the adverse impacts of natural resource sector led development. She believes that development requires a comprehension of the social, environmental and economic factors at play in every project. Liz’s multi-disciplinary background helps her understand and balance each of these dimensions, drawing on her Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Master of Philosophy in Development Studies and Master of Science of Environmental Change and Management and her current studies to complete her PhD.

Amy Sexton is an internationally experienced social performance specialist with over two decades of work across the mining, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors. She brings a multidisciplinary background in environmental engineering and international and community development, applying this lens to challenging projects to help deliver better social outcomes for communities. Amy is recognized for her practical experience in supporting clients to align with international lender standards and social safeguards including those of IFC, EBRD, ADB and EPFIs.

She has worked on the planning, implementation support, auditing and monitoring of project social commitments, on major projects in complex contexts across Central Asia, Asia-Pacific, East Africa, and Europe. Amy frequently serves as the sole social specialist on Independent Environmental and Social Consultant (IESC) teams advising Lenders on project social performance, frequently where major projects involve resettlement or livelihoods impacts. Amy thrives in cross-cultural contexts, offering both technical insight and grounded, people-centered approaches. She is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and a former Co-chair of the Social Practice Forum (SPF). Based in Norway, she consults through Sexton Consulting.