arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

A global movement to protect the world's water is surging. Global water warriors are coming together in January 2004 to deliberate how to creatively respond to the corporate global water grab.

We wish to learn and share with our indigenous relations who recognize water as sacred and that which sustains all life, as well as articulate the important role that humanity must play in sustaining this sacred gift.

Water is life, and access to it IS a fundamental right of all.

Central to our concerns is the increasing control that institutions like multi-national corporations, international financial institutions (including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund), and even national governments are usurping universal public right of access to
clean and affordable water.

Water is not a commodity to be controlled, bought and sold. Water cannot be owned. Water is a responsibility of the global commons and we have a collective responsibility that addresses the needs of all.

Our rivers cannot be diverted by major river-linking schemes, nor destroyed by large dams which displace millions of people. Our water cannot be privatized and sold for profit. We are the protectors and sustainable users of water, not the customers. Water is a public good and must remain in public hands.

Our collective concerns must lead us to collective action. Towards this end, people from all over the world are planning to meet in Delhi, January 11-14, 2004, for the People's World Water Forum, in order to further build a common vision for action and to strategize how to
effectively counter the global forces of destruction and privatization and to promote alternatives for the wise management of our water systems.

Come to Delhi or prepare supportive actions in your own community.

The People's World Water Forum is a step on the road of realizing the people's vision of sustainable and equitable water management.

The forum has grown out of previous fora and vision statements, a selection of which can be seen at webpage:
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/Water/conferences .

To receive updates from this initiative send an e-mail to
cmep at citizen.org.

If you want to be part of the organizing committee contact
anaidoo at canadians.org.