Awareness and Communication Strategy 2.2.3 Water is a Finite and Vulnerable Resource Communicate that people should conserve the finite and limited resource for present and future use. To who: Government technocrats, Politicians and decision makers, Government communicators at national level, Media and SADC citizens How: Face-to-face briefings, dialogues such as the SADC Multi-stakeholder Dialogue, demonstrations (learning journeys, publications, presentations in non-water sector meetings, mass media and public events. The amount of water in the hydrological cycle is, on average, a fixed quantity and this cannot be changed significantly by human actions. However, the existing water resources are vulnerable to human actions and can be degraded and polluted by such actions – thereby reducing its economic value and make it hazardous to use. The limited freshwater resource is, therefore, a natural asset when properly managed. This necessitates the need for it to be scientifically monitored, developed, conserved, allocated and utilized in a manner that satisfies and safeguards the different purposes, functions, and services it provides. This integrated approach to the management of water resources necessitates co-ordination of the range of human activities which create the demand for water or impacts on it. The approach is effective when it recognizes the catchment area or river basin as the logical unit for such water resources management. The bottom line is: water is life, yet it is a finite and limited resource so it must be conserved for present and future use.2 2.2.4 Stakeholder Participation in Water Resources Development and Management Communicate that water is everyone’s interest and, as such, everyone should participate in its development, management and conservation. To who: Agriculture, environment, energy, industry and business, economic planning and fisheries stakeholders, as well as the general public. How: Mass media, public events, breakfasts with business, demonstrations, personalities, publications and Internet (websites). Everyone is a stakeholder in water resources management and IWRM calls for real participation – at all levels - in the decision-making process. Such participation requires informed stakeholders - whether they are traditionally marginalized groups such as women and youths or officials managing the distribution of such resources. It should also ensure collective responsibility among stakeholders at all levels in its assessment, planning, development, allocation, conservation and protection. A participatory approach fosters longlasting consensus and common agreement, stakeholder buy-in, ownership and responsible use of the resources. 2 Cap-net IWRM Tutorial Page 13