International Grassroots Activists Join Together to Create An Alternative to the Corporation-dominated Fourth World Water Forum!
What was the 4th World Water Forum and the International Rallies in Defense of Water?
In response to the corporation and agency-dominated 4th World Water Forum, held in Mexico City, Mexican and international community groups and non-governmental organizations hosted an alternative forum.
The forum created a space for community groups to share their stories from the frontlines of the global water crisis. To kick-off the alternative forum, Mexican groups hosted a march of 20,000 people through the streets of Mexico demanding protection for the human right to water.
Why did international community groups protest this event?
The alternative forum protested the exclusive nature of the official 4th World Water Forum and the general exclusion of community issues at the international water policy-making level. The planning for the 4th World Water Forum excluded many Mexican community groups and the pricey entrance fee prevented many other groups from participating – registration for non-profits started at $240 US dollars and ranged to $600 dollars for an average Mexican resident.
While the World Bank, corporate water giants such as Suez and Coca-Cola, and government agenciesdebated topics such as new dams in Mexico and effectively collaborating with private companies in water management, communities outside the forum demanded respect for the human right of water, more sustainable water policies, and a stop to corporate control over water resources.
For more information, call Amy Vanderwarker, Environmental Justice Coaliton for Water at (510) 286-8400 or visit: ejcw.org or comda.org.mx
Final Declaration from the International Forum in Defense of Water
English Español
Indigenous Declaration
English Español
California Declaration of Solidarity
English Español
Press coverage of the International Forum:
Znet: Martketing Fight
Link to John Gibler's article on Znet
Upside Down World: Clashes Over Global Water Policy
Link to Jeff Conant's article on Upside Down World
Earh Island Journal (forthcoming): Of water security and human rights, Jeff Conant
Plataforma Interamericana de Derechos Humanos Democracia y Desarollo, Capitulo Peru: Exigibilidad del derecho humano al agua
www.pidhdd.org.pe
Articulos del periodico La Jornada en Espanol:
Activistas demandan movimiento mundial por el agua que no excluya a los pobres
¿Quién está adentro y quién afuera?
Read the press release from 23 international organizations!
English Spanish
Grassroots Events
For a complete listing go to: www.comda.org.mx
View the full schedule of alternative events |
What is the World Water Forum?
The 3 years, there is an international conference on the state of the world's water. 3 years ago, the forum was held in Kyoto, Japan, and was marked by significant protests - grassroots groups from around the world felt that the conference was dominated by corporations, large agencies and governments. These large organizations did not make space for nor listen to the many people who have witnessed corporate abuses of water resources, the failures of governments to regulate corporations and agencies, and above, the failure of either the international community or governments to address the basic sanitation and water needs of millions of people around the globe.
What is going on with the Fourth World Water Forum?
Because this year's forum, to be held in Mexico City on March 15th - 22nd, started from the initial planning stages as an exclusionary event, Mexican and international community groups decided to boycott the event and organize their own, alternative series of activities. The Mexican network Coalicion de Organizaciones Mexicanas por el Derecho del Agua took the lead in organizing the "International Forum in Defense of Water," while other international activists have put together the Latin American Water Tribunal. The International Forum will be a series of international panels examining the human right to water, privatization, democratic water management, and water and sustainability. The Tribunal will be hearing testimonies from Latin American community activists for an entire week and issue a 'verdict' on the state of water in Latin America and the Fourth World Water Forum.
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How is EJCW involved?
The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water is sponsoring the first ever California Delegation of Water Justice Advocates. 4 representatives of the coalition will attend both the Fourth World Water Forum and the International Forum in Defense of Water to share the experiences of communities in California and show solidarity with the many organizations struggling globally for the basic human right to safe, clean, affordable drinking water.
As part of our effort to carry the support and convey the excellent work of organizations across California, EJCW has created a 'California Statement of Solidarity' that we are inviting all organizations in California to sign.
Email and sign on to the Statement of Solidarity!
EJCW will also be hosting a panel entitled "Californian Struggles for Water Justice" and are sponsoring the participation of Mark Franco from the Winnemem Wintu Tribe on the environment and sustainability panel of the Internation Forum in Defense of Water.
Click here for the panel flier!
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