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The Butterfly Effect Newsletter
Vol. 6, May 2018

Pour lire la version en français, par ici.
Para leer la versión en español, aquí.

World Water Forum 2018

Highlights 
 

The 8th World Water Forum took place from 19 to 23 March 2018 in Brasilia, Brazil. It was the first time the Forum was hosted by a country from the Southern Hemisphere and it welcomed around 10 000 people. The Forum was highlighted by a difficult participation of civil society and a weak ministerial declaration due to a lack of ambition and political scope. That being said, this edition brought a few innovations. 
 

WEAK CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION 

                             

The Brazilian Forum made some efforts to include civil society, through balanced list of panelists during the sessions and eventually offered to support financially members of civil society around the world. That being said, the process was flawed and a few shortcomings led to a weak representation of civil society organizations, especially from Asia and Africa.  Not only were the criteria set to select the participants not fully respected (non-OECD countries), but a large part of the participants selected for sponsorship did not receive their plane ticket or visa at the last minute.  The 8th World Water Forum Secretariat published a statement regarding this situation following the Forum.
On the bright side, the Citizen Forum which was open to the public, welcomed around 100 000 people, mostly
from Brazil. 
 

BUTTERFLY EFFECT PRESS RELEASE
 


In the midst of the sponsorship chaos, the Butterfly Effect Coalition sent out a press release “Too many left behind: Failure of support mechanisms jeopardizes inclusiveness of the 8th World Water Forum” aimed at voicing a serious concern on the effects of the failed mechanisms to financially support participants from the South. The press release was well relayed and was mentioned in quite a few highlights of the World Water Forum in Brasilia. The press release stressed the consequences of the flawed mechanisms on civil society inclusion and participation in the Forum as many of the participants affected were also involved in sessions as speakers, moderators and organizers. Despite this disappointing turn of event, the Butterfly Effect hopes that these elements will be taken into account when preparing the next World Water Forum in Senegal, to learn from past mistakes and improve civil society participation in the future. 

 
ONE FORUM, SIX DECLARATIONS
 
As per usual, several declarations are drafted prior and during the Forum and address the commitment of different actors of the water sector. Even though these are taken seriously by governments and other stake-holders, none of these declarations are legally binding in any way, nor do they hold an official list of signatories.

Ministerial Declaration: “Urgent call for decisive action on the water”. This declaration, which was supported by about 70 countries, is the result of a long negotiation process between countries. In comparison to previous ministerial declarations, it is considered as a step back. Indeed, the content of this unambitious document seems to be oblivious to previous declarations and several the core issues of the global water architecture in the United Nations. In addition, it also seems to disregard the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and other cross-cutting issues.
 
The “Sustainability Declaration” is essentially the declaration of the Forum participants. It was based on different texts resulting from the Forum and was prepared by the Sustainability Process. The ultimate goal is to present this statement to the UN High-Level Political Forum in July 2018.
 
The Brasilia Declaration of Judges on Water Justice: The "Judges" process - a first for this Forum - brought together about 80 magistrates from different continents, and adopted a statement on 10 principles, "The Brasilia Declaration of Judges on Water Justice", which received a good response. Its purpose: to clarify how the principles of environmental laws (prevention principle, precaution, polluter pays, etc.) can be applied to water and to mobilize the judicial authorities in this direction.
 
Other declarations
 
  • Parliamentarians Declaration
  • Brasilia Local and Regional Governments Call for Action on Water and Sanitation
  • Youth Declaration
 

BUTTERFLY EFFECT PARTICIPATION


Despite a few setbacks, affecting the participation of Butterfly Effect related members, the network managed to be very present at the Forum. In addition to being part of the Theme People Coordination group, the Butterfly Effect was also a speaker and moderator in numerous sessions. Our members were also very much engaged in the Forum, as almost all the members of the Steering Committee and well as other regional members were able to attend and take part in official sessions and side-events. One of the key moments for the Butterfly Effect was the Closing ceremony of the Theme People, where Shamim Arfeen of AOSED, BE steering member from Bangladesh as well as Sarah Dousse from the International Secretariat for Water were given the opportunity to present the closing remarks of the week.
 

Overall, members of the Butterfly Effect were involved in over 40 sessions and events, some under their own umbrella, some under the Butterfly Effect hat. All members present took it upon themselves to share the ns are currently taking place in the regions and synergies will be of course built between the two initiatives. 
 

 
RICH THEMATIC DEBATES 
 
The Forum organized 300 thematic and regional sessions, a lower number than previous editions, which allowed for a very strong participation in all sessions. The topics discussed were built around major commitments for the sector, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Agreement, the New Urban Agenda...

Among the themes that emerged strongly or emerged at the Forum: natural disasters, climate, migration, urban development, water and peace, water governance and stakeholder participation, the circular economy and links between freshwater and marine waters... The solutions based on nature were particularly highlighted as it was the theme of the World Water Day of March 22nd.
 
ALTERNATIVE WORLD WATER FORUM

Around 7000 people attended the Alternative World Water Forum (Foro Alternatovo Mundial de Agua – FAMA). This self-organized event (by Brazilian NGOs) took place in Brasilia’s City Park and on the campus of the university of Brasilia. It gathered indigenous communities, social movements, activists, academic and more to participate in self-managed sessions, conferences and events including a big march and cultural events. The FAMA produced a declaration that aimed to highlight and denounce the Official Forum the privatization of water resources and other water-related crimes. The FAMA meant to be the official voice of the people, highlighting the fact that they are the vulnerable ones facing water issues.  (Read more here)
 

YOUTH AT THE FORUM!

Among the positive notes of this Forum, youth were most definitely one of them! Youth were recognized throughout the different processes and side-events as an important actor for the implementation of SDG6. In fact, youth organizations present at the Forum were able to leave their mark on through the Youth Declaration but also by influencing the Ministerial Declaration. Finally, some promising connections were made with youth networks from Senegal in preparation of the 9th World Water Forum in 2021.

WORLD YOUTH PARLIAMENT FOR WATER 4TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 



The World Youth Parliament for Water's fourth General Assembly was a success. The 50 youth from 25 countries who gathered in Brasilia showed that they are change makers who are already taking action on local, regional and international levels. With their insight, knowledge and dedication, they showed that they are committed to making a difference. The participants intervened at various high-levels and were able to successfully influence decision makers. The International Secretariat for Water organized activities and workshops to support participants become better and more impactful communicators. The youth are determined to cooperate and collaborate, in the spirit of sharing. The innovative concrete projects now underway by several participants are actionable demonstrations of these principles. The participants are now hard at work planning and implementing action in their local communities, and preparing the global network for an awareness campaign on water and peace.
 
Check out the WYPW video to get an overview of the their participation in the Forum!

YOUTH FOR WATER AND CLIMATE
 


March 22nd was not only marked by World Water Day celebrations, but was also highlighted by the launch of the Youth for Water and Climate (YWC) Platform by many young water leaders, the International Secretariat for Water and the Global Water Partnership, on the Swiss pavilion. This innovative platform aims at connecting young project leaders with organizations and experts that can provide them with technical and financial support they need to implement solid professional projects tackling water and climate issues. The YWC platform is a match-making tool that hopes to build bridges between young professionals of the water sector and senior organizations and experts. Find out more on the YWC website! www.youthwaterclimate.org
 

YOUTH DELEGATES - WORLD WATER COUNCIL
 
The World Water Council’s Youth Delegate programme has done some great work during the Forum, participating in the Youth Forum and helping shape the Youth Declaration with their commitment to institutionalize Youth Satellite Events. Along with the World Water Council the Youth Delegates helped develop a Satellite Events Project in partnership with several other youth organizations. This initiative aimed at strengthening the voice of youth by facilitating the contribution of young water researchers, professionals and entrepreneurs. 

In addition, the World Water Forum’s organizers helped mobilize eight young water experts from Senegal at the Forum, helping them participate at several official sessions. The rich debates and contributions of these young water experts will help them shape the role and contribution of youth to the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar (2021). Click here to read more.
 

TOWARDS THE 9TH WORLD WATER FORUM 



In conclusion, despite some innovations, this Forum, like the previous ones, is an event whose impact is difficult to evaluate. However, it should be noted that the next Forum, to be held in Senegal in 2021, seeks to change this trend. The Senegalese authorities, strongly represented in Brasilia, have clearly expressed their will to organize a very different Forum: a reinforced political scope (with an ideal connection to the United Nations), the end of traditional processes, the mixing of different types of actors, a program focused on a reduced number of priorities, support for concrete projects ... Numerous contacts have been established between the NGO members of the Butterfly Effect and the Senegalese authorities, to ensure a strong taking into account the expectations of the civil society on the road of Dakar 2021 and this, from the first preparatory phases.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: AGENDA 2030

HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SDG 6 (9-18 JULY 2018, NEW YORK)
 


This July will be held a High Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. The Forum will review in depth the SDGs and their implementation. This edition will have a special focus on the progress made regarding Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. For more information, visit the HLPF website.
 

NOMINATIONS TO RECEIVE TRAVEL FUNDING FOR THE 2018 HLPF NOW ACCEPTED 
 
A call for nomination to receive travel funding for the 2018 HLPF is now open until 22 May 2018. DESA-OISC and the European Commission are offering financial support to a number of representatives of Major Groups and Other Stakeholders from developing VNR countries to participate in the 2018 session of the HLPF this July. The selection will be done by OISC in collaboration with the MGoS HLPF Coordination Mechanism Steering Group. The selected colleagues will receive funding to support airplane tickets, two days of daily subsistence allowances and terminal expenses during the HLPF. They will be responsible for arranging their own accommodation during the Forum.  
Please use this form, no later than 22 May 2018, to submit nominations for the funding.

Please note that candidates that have been selected for funding should be prepared to submit their travel related documentation, including copy of their passport bio page and any travel forms, no later than by close of business (NY time) on Thursday, 31 May 2018. Please note that there will be no exceptions to this deadline and that the secretariat will not be able to process travel for any individual who is not able to provide their necessary documentation by this deadline. Please also note that selected individuals will be responsible for making their own visa and transit visa arrangements.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/2jpGP2Z

Copyright © 2017 The Butterfly Effect Network, All rights reserved.


Secretariat contact information:

Sarah DOUSSE
Facilitator - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
butterflyeffectcoalition@gmail.com / +1 514 849 42 62
International Secretariat for Water - 911 Jean-Talon Est bureau 205, Montreal, Canada, H3L 2C7 
 
Natalia URIBE PANDO
Facilitator - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
butterflyeffectcoalition@gmail.com / + 33 1 70 84 70 70
Action Against Hunger – 14/16 bd Douaumont, 75017 Paris, France
 
 
The coordination is implemented by: 

with the support of:

 


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