Session FT 2.02

Integrated Management and Governance: A Framework for Making Empowerment a Reality

 

 

Conveners

 

• ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability (Chairperson)
• World Water Assessment Program
• Unie van Waterschapen (Dutch Association of Water Boards)

All successful and sustainable management of freshwater requires a sound institutional framework, as a precondition. This framework consists of legislation (for authorizing the tasks of the institutions), representation (of stakeholders), funding (both by taxation and external funding) and capacity development. These building blocks were the basis of this session, as they empower local organizations for their tasks.

 

The session presented four local actions that examined various efforts to have an integrated water resources management system. The local actions clearly show that bottom up strategies can be effective in the local management of water.  However, through the creation of regional and national frameworks that take in to consideration the local actions, it is possible to achieve greater impact. Involving local government, national government and communities can be used effectively in the governance of water.

 

Lessons learned

 

1. Legal or juridical frameworks need to be in place to provide a framework for integrating water resources management. Such frameworks need to address vertical integration and ensure that there is sufficient scope for development within all spheres of governance (national, regional, local and communities).
2. Consultation and participation need to take place but, the participants in the consultation need to be sufficiently empowered. This applies to the national level or groups with core responsibility and ownership of the water resources, as well as groups that will use the resources.
3. Empowerment and capacity building of the youth and other disadvantaged groups to allow them to contribute meaningfully to the planning and implementation process is essential.

 

Key messages

 

All successful and sustainable management of freshwater requires a sound institutional framework, where:

1. Those who have the interest in water management are involved and have a say in its execution
2. There is a juridical basis for an effective interaction between local and national policy
3. Clear mechanisms for financing and coordination and infrastructure renewal are in place
4. Key stakeholders such as local governments understand and play a defined role in the management of water

 

Orientations for action

 

1. The key to local action lies within the juridical framework. In this regard one of the immediate next steps in the management of the resource should be to ensure that there are legal mechanisms for consultation between the policies of different spheres of government.
2. Integration should not be considered a luxury but a social, political and economic necessity to achieve effective management. However, all stakeholders need to examine their ability to participate. Integration will only be successful where institutions are sufficiently empowered with management and resources to participate.

 

Local Actions presented

World Water Assessment program : a shared responsibility

Mr Carlos Fernandez, UN-World water Assessment Program

 

A preview of the World water Assessment Report, acknowledged that the world water crisis is largely as a governance crisis, in which the major problems are lack (or multiplicity) of institutions, weak legal frameworks, limited human and financial resources and limited involvement of major stakeholders. The business-as-usual approach has created more problems than solutions. The way forward includes localizing water management by delegating powers and resources into sound institutions. But…these institutions need to be embedded in national and regional policies and strategies. Vertical integration is key, both bottom-up and top-down.

 

Decentralisation of water resources management in Uganda: IWRM from planning to practice

Fred Kimaite, Directorate of Water Development, Uganda

 

This local action described Uganda's decentralization of water management, noting key challenges, including the delegation of responsibility, reconciliation of diverse stakeholder interests, and establishment of monitoring, evaluation and reporting responsibilities. He said stakeholder involvement should go beyond consultations. Stakeholder responsibilities must be clearly defined.

 

Water resources management in a dry zone river basin in Sri Lanka

Kaus Imbulana, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Agriculture

 

Malala-Oya water diversion project aims to alleviate poverty in the driest area of Sri Lanka. It was stressed that using existing equipment and local expertise the project has had positive impacts on gender issues, stakeholder outreach and vertical policy integration.

 

Agreement of ruling principles of wayer policy for Argentina

Victor Pochat, WWAP

The development of water management principles in Argentina involves extensive stakeholder consultations. These principles provided guidelines, which integrate social, economic and other values in water management, and extensive consultations instilled a sense of ownership among stakeholders.

 

LoGo Water - Towards effective involvement of local government in IWRM in Southern Africa basins

Rapule Pule, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability’s Africa

The Logo Water project engages and assists local governments in IWRM implementation in the Limpopo River Basin in Southern Africa. Reviewing lessons learned from this project, it appears that roles and responsibilities must be clearly articulated and that inadequate resources limit efficient operation of local governments.