Promoting better policy and citizen agency in the mining sector
Active Project
Brendan Schwartz
Senior associate (law, economies and justice programme), Natural Resources
Languages:
English,
French (professional fluency), Fulfulde (basic)
Brendan’s work focuses on enhancing rural communities’ participation in shaping natural resource policies and practice.
Expertise
His action research focuses on socio-legal empowerment and natural resource policy across thematic areas such as: land tenure, mining, legal redress, legal empowerment, land-based investments and agriculture value chains.
Before IIED
Prior to joining IIED, Brendan worked for the University of Guelph as a research consultant on the study of the politics of commodities in Central Africa. He has also consulted for international development institutions and NGOs in West and Central Africa.
Education
- MSc globalisation and development, SOAS
- BA international relations, Connecticut College
Current work
Brendan facilitates peer-to-peer learning between civil society activists working to secure land rights in rural areas. He collaborates with Southern-based organisations to assist communities seeking legal redress for land/resource rights violations. Brendan is also involved in multiple projects focused on the mining sector, including in Mali, Cameroon, DRC and globally.
