Interview with Jon Unruh, keynote speaker at the LANDac Conference 2026

The interview with Jon Unruh highlights the critical relevance of the upcoming LANDac Conference 2026 within the context of today's global conflicts, emphasizing that certain opportunities have evolved from emerging trends into urgent necessities. A primary focus is placed on the limitations of traditional top-down approaches to reworking land and property rights following a conflict, which often rely on large-scale donor-funded programs where displaced populations must wait for claims to be processed and remedies delivered. Unruh argues that in societies affected by violence, this prolonged waiting period is not only painful but also impractical, as desperate, impoverished, and angry communities are ill-equipped to endure long delays while relying on the international community for justice. The core argument presented is a shift away from rigid adherence to legal integrity toward more flexible socio-legal solutions that directly address immediate social problems. Instead of insisting on strict procedural correctness that prolongs resolution, transitional justice mechanisms need to evolve by exploring new legal pathways that prioritize human needs over bureaucratic perfection. This approach acknowledges that while waiting for full restitution or compensation is theoretically important, the reality on the ground requires interventions that can provide relief and stability much faster than current international frameworks allow. Consequently, the discussion calls for a reimagining of how land rights are restored in post-conflict scenarios to better serve those who have been displaced. By relaxing the over-attention to the formal integrity of the law, stakeholders can implement remedies that offer alternative property or compensation without requiring years of waiting. This strategic pivot ensures that transitional justice remains effective and responsive, transforming from a slow-moving process into a dynamic tool that actively supports communities in their most vulnerable moments rather than leaving them stranded in limbo while international procedures unfold.