Reclaiming Public Water Network - global strategy seminar

Languages: English and Spanish

February 1st to the 3rd 2010, the Reclaiming Public Water (RPW) Network will organise an international seminar on global water challenges and people-centered solutions. Participants from more than 30 countries will bring their knowledge and experiences about how to improve water provision through democratisation of water management, partnerships between public water companies (public-public partnerships or PuPs) and other progressive solutions. The seminar (the first global RPW assembly since autumn 2005) will be a space for campaigners, community water activists, public water operators and unionists to learn from each other and strategise on research, campaigning and other joint work.
 

Day 1 (1st February): Achievements, lessons-learned and challenges ahead in the struggle for public water for all

8:45- 9:30 Registration

Morning session (9:30-12:30) – in plenary

Welcome

Video message from Vibhu Nayar and the Change Management Team (Tamil Nadu, India)

9:45 - 11:05 Regional updates on advancing alternatives to privatisation

One speaker from each region will present main achievements and how these were secured, as well as new political realities and challenges (presentations to be prepared collectively in each region): presentations on the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe

11:05 – 11:20 What changes in Paris after remunicipalisation
Anne Le Strat, director of Eau de Paris, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of water, sanitation and canals management

11:20 - 11:40 The climate crisis and other global water challenges: defending the global commons
Dr. Suresh, The Centre for Law, Policy and Human Rights Studies

11: 40 - 12.00 The global water policy discourse and water privatisation threats today
David Hall, Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU)

12:00 - 12:30 Discussion

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

Day 2 (2nd February): Developing collective strategies

Morning session (9:00-12:00)

9:00-10:30 Wrap-up discussion: progress made, political context and challenges for the years ahead for the RPW network (and presentation of proposals from the network task force) (in plenary)

10:30-12:30 Workshops - first round

The goal of these workshops is to develop concrete strategies and plans for joint work.

1. National and regional platforms for PuPs
   The workshop will explore how political and institutional support for PuPs can be developed at national and regional levels and discuss proposals for a PuP knowledge clearinghouse and PUP training centers.
2. Implementing the human right to water
   Workshop on strategies for implementing the human right to water, exploring the potential of initiatives like the Latin American Water Tribunal, the International Charter on Water Access, etc.
3. Mapping of alternatives, collective learning & outreach
   This workshop will assess the efforts made in the RPW network, the Municipal Services Project (MSP) and other networks as well as discuss next steps, including the Virtual Course on Water Management and Governance (educational programme for water professionals) that is being developed in India.

12:30-14:00 Lunch

Afternoon session (14:00-18:00)

14:00- 16:00 Workshops - second round

The goal of these workshops is to develop concrete strategies and plans for joint work.

1. Public funding for public water
   The revised EU Water Facility will for the first time ever make funding available for PUPs – how to broaden the availability of EU funding for progressive public water solutions?
2. 2. Global Water Operators Partnerships (GWOPA)
   How to ensure that GWOPA stays on track to support not-for-profit PUPs?
3. 3. The rural water crisis and water resources struggles
   This workshop will explore how the RPW network can broaden its focus beyond urban and peri-urban water supply

16:00- 18:00 Report back and discussions on our common strategies (in plenary)

This session will explore how we can cooperate more effectively to influence global, regional and national water policy debates.

Dinner

Day 3 (3rd February): Joint work and the future of the RPW network

Morning plenary session (9:00-12:30)

Concretise collective work plans

Deciding on how to improve the functioning and coordination of the RPW network, based proposals from the network taskforce

New statement of the RPW network

www.mundo-b.org