FROM VISION TO ACTION Speech of Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos Of the Republic of the Philippines

FROM VISION TO ACTION

Speech of Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos

Of the Republic of the Philippines

"Sovereignty Panel" Session Organized by

Green Cross International at the

2nd World Water Forum and Ministerial Conference

The Hague, Netherlands

20 March 2000

INTRODUCTION

We have moved forward by defining the issues and the principles by which the problem of water can be solved in the future. We have identified and brought together the experts and stakeholders from around the world.

The next step is to provide conditions that will allow our reports to achieve a self-propulsive momentum towards the solution of the problem that we identified.

The World Water Commission for Water in the 21st century, chaired by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, has, in its comprehensive report, strongly recommended urgent actions to be taken without delay in the areas of policy, institutions, research and investments.

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS AND GLOBAL FUND

Our goal should be to encourage governments to follow through the discussions here by defining their own action programs, along the principles laid out here in The Hague.

These plans should integrate all levels of need from the grassroots to the national and to the transnational levels. Integration was done very effectively after the June 1992 Rio Summit on the Environment. The World Water Community, under the leadership of the World Water Council, needs the equivalent of an "Earth Agenda 21".

Reiterating the many calls at this 2nd World Water Forum, I suggest that nations, corporations, multilateral financial institutions and civil society should put together a "Global Fund for Water". Priority for funding should go to those countries that have done their homework with action plans.

FOCUS ON TRANSBOUNDARY CONFLICTS

Apparently, the most difficult problem in the Agenda is the transboundary conflicts on water. We have done well by identifying all the key principles and processes based on success stories.

We now have a road map with which we could lead conflicting interests into common ground and agreements.

We should aim to create the institutions that will allow conflicting countries to find a solution to their problems.

But is this is not possible now in any area for whatever reasons, we should, at least, start the process.

My suggestion is to develop a corps of conflict resolution practitioners and field them in all the transboundary areas that are potential, or have become, flash points. There should be one such expert team formed on every problem level, whose role is to listen, get a measure of the conflicting interests and suggest options, if asked for. But in no instance should "Outsiders", as such experts may be perceived to be, try to impose a solution.

The solution that is sustainable must come from the stakeholders themselves, when they are ready or when the crisis compels them to act.

These field facilitators should help with a continuous flow of fresh options that they can offer when negotiations are deadlocked, but they should have a base of support.

There is a need for institutional support in various fields. There is also a need for the stakeholders to recognize their respective roles in the process, and it is in this area that the funding agencies can help significantly.

There is further the need to document the process so that the patterns of the conflict and probable areas of cooperation will, in turn, define he features of the institutions that must be put in place to pursue the process on a sustainable basis.

This iterative process, in contrast to the linear or planned approach, may be long-winded and tedious. But it could eventually bring out a depth of creativity and wealth of ideas that are vital in providing solutions to contentious issues.

THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE

When I was a young infantry officer in rural Philippines, I recall that the bucolic pace of the pastoral setting was oftentimes marred by violent confrontations among farmers fighting over irrigation water.

At that time, the once lush forests in the mountains were beginning to disappear. And the rivers were beginning to run dry even before the onset of the summer months.

The bountiful commons of the country river systems had been much abused because no one took responsibility for them. The usual practice was for the farmers near the river to extract as much water as possible until there was not enough for the other farmers in the same area, not to mention those downstream.

However, the wisdom of our elders prevailed, and instead of sending military officers like me to impose order, they sent what they called "Community organizers (C.O.s)" to correct the alarming situation. The C.O.s visited the farmers during what was called the "creative hour", the period after work but before dinner. It was a time of rest and the farmer was prone to talk, to let out his frustrations, or just to complain about the day's work.

The eventual result of this traditional process that started with seemingly idle repartee were the now well-known irrigation cooperatives that flourished in the last decade that prevented quarrels, violence and bloodshed.

Farmers gave up their inherited rights or favored positions over water in exchange of a more orderly and equitable sharing scheme.

These processes and principles that begin with local consultations, have been the subject of exhaustive academic debate and scientific theorizing. But the bottom line is that most of these irrigation cooperatives still work today.

CONCLUSION

This experience defined my advocacy for community consultations, participatory decision-making, involving all stakeholders, to find solutions to problems, and to develop lasting institutions that reflect the dynamics of the problems being solved. This way, the deep-seated wishes of the people are served.

I am not suggesting this as the only approach or solution.

I can only hope that we start the process now. We have in our hands, here at The Hague, most of the elements needed to bring about a new world in the foreseeable future without the water stresses that beset us today.

Thank you and Mabuhay (best wishes)!!!