Message-ID: <01BE8B80.6FB10720@dialup185-2-37.swipnet.se> Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999 19:21:02 +0200 From: Jacky Foo <mailto:foo@SWIPNET.SE> Subject: WATER FOR FOOD IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
E-MAIL CONFERENCE ON Water for Food in Sub-Saharan Africa 15 March - 23 April 1999Objective To discuss issues, opportunities and strategies on the use of water for food production, food security and rural development in sub-Sahara Africa in the context of a long term vision on water, life and environment in the 21st Century.
Context The United Nations recently surveyed a group of leading thinkers from many disciplines on the most important issues facing humankind in the next Century. The scarcity of freshwater ranked as the world's second most pressing concern (after population growth in poor areas). Indeed, the world is approaching a water crisis: water is becoming more scarce, dirtier and more difficult to access. Less water is available for human consumption, productive uses and maintaining ecosystems. And conflict over shared water resources is growing.
The World Water Council has convened a World Commission on Water for the 21st Century to produce a "Vision" for a more desirable water future and, in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership, a Framework for Action to achieve that vision. The Commission and the Vision are cosponsored by FAO, UNDP, UNESCO UNEP, UNICEF, WHO, WMO and the World Bank. Its members include individuals who are renowned for exemplary achievement in their respective fields.
The Vision is meant to move us from where we are today to where we need to be to ensure the sustainable use of water for future generations. The objective is to develop a widely shared vision on the actions required for tackling water issues globally and regionally. The exercise is characterised by the participation of individuals and groups from across the geographic, organizational and disciplinary spectrum, innovative "out-of-the-box" thinking, and extensive consultation, with an emphasis on communication with groups outside the water sector.
The Vision exercise involves a process of study, consultation and promotion, which will: - develop knowledge on what is happening in the water sector regionally and globally, and on trends and development outside the world of water which may affect future water use; - based on this knowledge, produce a consensus on a "Vision" for the year 2025 (with an even longer-term context) that is shared by water sector specialists and decision makers in the government, the private sector and civil society; - raise awareness of water issues among the general population and decision-makers in order to foster the political will and leadership necessary to achieve the Vision; and utilize the knowledge and support generated to contribute to a Framework for Action for national governments, donor agencies and other investors in the water sector.
Three sets of activities are being undertaken: (1) panels, (2) sectoral and regional consultations, and (3) network consultations and special outreach programs.
(1) Thematic panels are being convened around the issues of Energy, Biot echnology, Information and Institutions (economic and social change).
(2) Sectoral consultations are being organized on Water for People (through the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and others), Water for Food (involving ICID. IWMI, FAO, IPTRID, IFPRI, ILRI and others) and Water for Nature (through IUCN and others). River basin management and hydropower will also be examined through collaboration with the World Commission on Dams.
(3) Network consultations will take place through many planned water meetings as well as through feedback from the membership of network organizations. Special outreach efforts will be made towards women and youth, two essential groups for any forward looking global perspective and action on water.
The World Water Council has convened a World Commission on Water for the 21st Century to produce a "Vision" for a more desirable water future and, in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership, a Framework for Action to achieve that Vision. The Commission and the Vision are co-sponsored by FAO, UNDP, UNESCO UNEP, UNICEF, WHO, WMO and the World Bank. Its members include individuals who are renowned for exemplary achievement in their respective fields. To frame this long-term "Vision on Water, Life and Environment in the 21st Century", an e-mail conference is being held to consult with regional and sectoral experts and stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities for water use for food security and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa.
More information, as well as background papers and summary of discussions of this e-mail conference will be posted at the following internet address: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/Africvis.htm
The conference is open to all interested persons. Interested persons will be requested to fill in a short registration form for record keeping, formal acknowledgement of their contribution and follow-up after the conference. The e-mail address of the consultation is: mailto:Afrivision-L@FAO.ORG
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