Anthony Burns

Ultimum Mysterium attempts to explain mysterious phenomena from a new perspective. In Section I: "The Puzzle", the author sets out and examines a number of reportedly true cases of such activity, both from history and from more recent times, which are so bizarre that even current scientific theories are unable to offer an explanation. In Section II: "The Physics", the author reviews the latest scientific discoveries (mainly in physics, but also in neurological research) with a view to seeing whether these can offer any kind of explanation to the strange phenomena described in Section I. In Section III: "The Philosophy", the author examines the underlying philosophical issues to see what may be possible in terms of a scientific explanation. He argues the universe is what it is, regardless of what we may think about its workings. If the impossible happens, so be it. We need keep an open mind on the subject and embrace the bizarre, but fascinating world of the impossible.

Increased global demand for land posits the need for well-designed country-level land policies to protect long-held rights, facilitate land access and address any constraints that land policy may pose for broader growth. While the implementation of land reforms can be a lengthy process, the need to swiftly identify key land policy challenges and devise responses that allow the monitoring of progress, in a way that minimizes conflicts and supports broader development goals, is clear. The Land Governance Assessment Framework (LGAF) makes a substantive contribution to the land sector by providing a quick and innovative tool to monitor land governance at the country level. The LGAF offers a comprehensive diagnostic tool that covers five main areas for policy intervention: Legal and institutional framework; Land use planning, management and taxation; Management of public land; Public provision of land information; and Dispute resolution and conflict management. The LGAF assesses these areas through a set of detailed indicators that are rated on a scale of pre-coded statements (from lack of good governance to good practice). While land governance can be highly technical in nature and tends to be addressed in a partial and sporadic manner, the LGAF posits a tool for a comprehensive assessment, taking into account the broad range of issues that land governance encompasses, while enabling those unfamiliar with land to grasp its full complexity. The LGAF will make it possible for policymakers to make sense of the technical levels of the land sector, benchmark governance, identify areas that require further attention and monitor progress. It is intended to assist countries in prioritizing reforms in the land sector by providing a holistic diagnostic review that can inform policy dialogue in a clear and targeted manner. In addition to presenting the LGAF tool, this book includes detailed case studies on its implementation in five selected countries: Peru, the Kyrgyz Republic, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Tanzania.