Water and poverty : the themes : a collection of thematic papers

In this collection of thematic papers, prepared for the 3rd World Water Forum, Kyoto, Japan, 16-23 March 2003, there is a common consensus that poverty and water are inextricably linked in many parts of the world. Meeting the needs of the poor is not simply providing drinking water, the poor also need access to water for productive uses to provide livelihood. Water is critical to the ecological services on which many of the poor depend. The importance of water resources as a weapon in the war against global poverty should be demonstrated more effectively. The themes outlined in this publication explore ways to improve the institutional framework and governance conditions that regulate access to water. There is also the need to ensure that water is mainstreamed into wider national and international development approaches, such as poverty reduction strategy papers.
Experts from internationally respected players in the water field, such as the Gender and Water Alliance, WaterAid, the Global Water Partnership, the International Water Management Institute, and other known international experts treat issues as pro-poor water governance, community empowerment and capacity, how to reach the poorest among the poor, the links among water, health and poverty, gender and water, water and food security, and how water plays a role in developing sustainable livelihoods for the poor. A growing body of evidence, including experiences from case studies, suggests that water is a significant key to sustainable development.