Preparatory process for the substantive session of ECOSOC

Workshop on Access to LAND and WATER
International Land Coalition and IFAD

A Side Event to the UN ECOSOC High Level Segment on
Integrated Approach to Rural Development
29 June 2003 10:00 - 13:00 - John Knox Centre, Geneva

Brief background

The important and inherent linkages between land and water access in relationship to rural development are slowly being recognized by the highest levels of the United Nations and by governments.  In the Secretary-General's report for the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC (30 June - 25 July, 2003 in Geneva), he highlights the inherent ties between land and water for rural development.  In his conclusions the Secretary-General recommends that " Enhancing the access of the poor rural people, especially women and smallholder farmers, to productive assets, especially land, water and other natural resources, as well as access to financial services in rural areas.(Para. 71)" is an important element of an integrated approach to rural development. 

However, there remains a divide between land access and water access movements and advocacy groups.  The relationship between these two natural resources has not been made clear enough.  By better understanding how access to water is tied to access to land (one resource by itself will not improve the livelihood of a rural man or woman) and vice versa, governments, UN agencies, and civil society groups would be much better equipped at developing effective rural development policies.

Studies have shown that in many countries in southern Africa (as well as other regions of the world), there is a lack of coordination between the agencies responsible for administering water and land access.  This lack of coordination has created contradictory policies and practices that inhibit the goals of broadening access to resources and promoting productive and sustainable use of such resources.  For example, in countries like Zimbabwe where there are strong movements and land groups working on access to land agenda, the challenge of linking water with land policy reforms are now in the forefront of their agenda.[1]   Primarily due to lack of integrated planning and harmonization of policies and reforms, two parallel processes are happening between land and water groups.  As a result there is a fragmentation of policies and programmes negatively affecting the intended beneficiaries, and also exacerbating the limited participation of marginalized groups among the rural poor, i.e., women, indigenous peoples, pastoralists, that the reforms intended to include in decision making processes.

Confronted with very difficult issues, such as agenda of vested interests, historical and cultural practices, both land and water groups claim that there is an enormous task already on hand.  However, both groups recognize the need to work and to link together. For example, there is a growing concern how international organizations are framing water policies from a 'market' or 'commodity' perspective. During the recent
3rd World Water Forum held in Kyoto in March 2003, many attending social movements opposed the Report of the Chair of the Forum which was focused on the role of the private sector, privatization and emphasis on 'profit over people'. The outcome of the Forum provided very limited reference on the land and water links, however, there was a recommendation on the need for policy changes regarding land and land reform, and financing for irrigation and drainage, ecosystem management, international water resource management, agriculture and hydropower [2].   

Despite greater recognition for partnerships, still very little has been done for joint actions between and among organisations working on land and water.  Commitments have been made on improved access to resources particularly from many international forums, conventions and review of the summits of the United Nations in the last decade.  However, the challenge remains: how to go forward to work together. 

The International Land Coalition and IFAD believe that one of the most important factors leading to entrenched poverty is the lack of access of rural poor to natural resources such as land and water and other productive factors like credit, technology and markets.  In countries where there are great pressures on land and water, natural degradation has reached alarming levels.  This is a major problem for the rural poor who often live in environmentally fragile, marginalised areas.  Moreover, the rural poor lack decision making power over their use of natural resources.  Increasingly, land reform and tenure systems, water rights and access by rural communities to forest and other common property are sources of conflict. Reducing such tensions and improving planning for sustainable and equitable access and use of natural resources are key challenges throughout the developing world.

In close collaboration with IFAD, the International Land Coalition is organising a Workshop on Access to Land and Water: an integrated approach to rural development in Geneva prior to the High Level Segment of the UN ECOSOC.  Participants will discuss and examine concrete linkages of land and water and will propose strategies how parallel groups working on land and water can work together.  A limited number of 20 participants will be invited to this workshop at the John Knox Centre on 29 June 2003 from 10:00 - 13:00.     

In taking advantage of the presence of participants who will be attending the NGO Forum which will be held on 26 June 2003 leading to the High Level Segment of UN ECOSOC, and the presence of those attending the ECOSOC, the organisers will invite individuals, experts and organisations working on land and water at the local, national and international levels.

A copy of the draft agenda and discussion questions are attached.

Sources:

1. BASIS CRSP II project proposal 'Institutional Dimensions of Water Policy Reform in Southern Africa : Addressing Critical Water-Land Intersections in Broadening Access to Key Factors of Production', 2001,

2. Minutes of the Meeting (Annalisa Mauro, International Land Coalition and Rudolph Cleveringa, IFAD/PT), 26 February 2003

3.  International Land Coalition

Footnotes:

[1] The Platform on women's land and water rights in the Southern Africa, Abby Taka Mgugu, regional coordinator, April 2003.

[2] Final report published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development. March 2003.