International Water Conferences and Water Sector Reform: A Different Approach

Abstract

This chapter is offered as a discussion piece. It is not only concerned with looking back at the successes and failures of the megaconferences. It sees these as part of a process, observable in the latter part of the 20th century, of a huge expansion of information generation and exchange. The analysis notes the other players/actors in the water sector, besides the conferences. It notes the apparent failure of all actors combined, including the conferences, to secure the essential and more timely reform of the institutions for the management of water, and the frustration this has caused within the body of water professionals, particularly those working at international level, and others. The failings of the sector to better articulate and advocate its arguments are examined. An outline of an alternative, comprehensive and tightly focussed process of critical analysis of the sector and its needed institutional reform is suggested, designed to overcome the identified deficiencies.