Emergency resolution nr. 1 submitted to XXIV Congress, Melbourne Australia, 4-9 October 2002 by Brazil, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Africa

 

                                   EMERGENCY RESOLUTION / MOTION

 

Congress, convened in Melbourne, Australia,

having taken into account the reports from:

Masako Hiramatsu, chair of the Standing Committee on environment, Dianne Glenn, nominated coordinator for Asia & Pacific 2002, Yara Rosenmann - Blochtein, nominee for the Chair of the Standing Committee on environment 2002, Lynne Robinson, regional coordinator Africa and Lesha Witmer, nominated coordinator for Europe 2002 - the BPW members representing BPW International during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa –

 

MOTION

 

 

  1. Recommends changing the name of the Standing Committee on Environment to STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

  1. requests the Executive Board of BPW International

·         to honour the commitment made by the representatives in Johannesburg to take an active part in the EU Water Initiative “ Water for life” and related projects during the triennium 2002 – 2005

·         to appoint - at a later date - a representative of BPW International, at appropriate EU level, through a mechanism to be defined, to act on behalf of BPW International specifically to participate in Integrated Water Resource Management - policies and projects

 

  1. encourage Federations and Associated Clubs of BPW International to:
  1. urge their government to:
bulletimplement the Dublin Principles
bulletcreate awareness at national/ regional and local level about the gender aspect of Integrated Water Resource Management
bulletsupport initiatives from women’s groups in this respect and actively create structures by which women can be part of the governing body of water resources in their communities
  • take an active part in these projects in such a way that
    • bulletwomen are partners in the process of Integrated Water Resource Management
    bulletlocal women’s groups are enabled and empowered to participate successfully in any form and at every level.

     

    This resolution was carried. An international Taskforce will be instituted a.s.a.p.
    RATIONALE

    Ø       the Dublin Principles:

    * Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-makers at all levels. The participatory approach involves raising awareness of the importance of water among policymakers and the general public. It means that decisions are taken at the lowest appropriate level, with full public consultation and involvement of users in the planning and implementation of water projects.

    * Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. This pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and guardians of the living environment has seldom been reflected in institutional arrangements for the development and management of water resources. Acceptance and implementation of this principle requires positive policies to address women’s specific needs and to equip and empower women to participate at all levels in water resources programmes, including decision-making and implementation, in ways defined by them.

    > It is very important that women actively promote the idea that women participate in the governing bodies for controlling water resources.

    > a proposal was put to and discussed with numerous women organizations in Johannesburg during the World Summit on Sustainable development concerning the involvement of women in Integrated Water Resource Management and come up with a participatory approach to ensure WOMEN ’S INFLUENCE ON INTEGRATED WATER RECOURCES MANAGEMENT.

     

    IMPLEMENTATION

    ·         especially the regional coordinators and the Standing Committee, as mentioned above, to further develop and implement the project proposal and initiative “Bridging the Gap: Women for water and Water for Women” as outlined at Congress

    ·         adopt the project proposal:

     

    BRIDGING THE GAP:

    WOMEN FOR WATER AND WATER FOR WOMEN

     

    This action orientated proposal for projects on every level contains the following steps:

    Ø       Set up an alliance of Women’s organizations to be the “linking pin” between local women groups and (inter)national partnerships on integrated water resources management and act as facilitator, mediator, etc. 

    Ø       use the extensive networks to reach and listen to local groups of women to hear what is needed and already known

    Ø       facilitate and share knowledge and experience

    Ø       be “the added value” in and to existing partnerships

    Ø       to create an enabling environment for women all over the world to implement the principles of sustainable development, create sustainable livelihoods through demand driven and gender sensitive programmes and schemes