Key message

Water & Culture 2009Water & Culture 2009 11

22 Water & Culture 2009Water & Culture 2009

Key messageKey message

• Cultural diversityCultural diversity

==

wealth of knowledge, views & wealth of knowledge, views & practicespractices

which are a source of inspirationwhich are a source of inspiration

for sustainable water managementfor sustainable water management


What is culture?What is culture?

Values and beliefs

Traditions, rituals and practices

Symbols and artefacts


Impact: both waysImpact: both ways

Water management

Culture

Culture

Water management


Water:Water:

• A source of lifeA source of life

• A source of inspirationA source of inspiration

• A source of powerA source of power

• A source of conflict or of cooperationA source of conflict or of cooperation

• A source of sustainabilityA source of sustainability


Water; A source of lifeWater; A source of life

• ““Where there is water, there is life”Where there is water, there is life”

• ““Water means wealth”Water means wealth”

• Cultures have adapted themselves to the Cultures have adapted themselves to the environment in which they liveenvironment in which they live



• Lessons learned:Lessons learned:– ““Revival” of old traditions and cultural Revival” of old traditions and cultural

practices, eg Karez systemspractices, eg Karez systems



• Lessons learned:Lessons learned:– water = people’s identitywater = people’s identity– water has important social/cultural water has important social/cultural

functionsfunctions– New plans should fit into the local New plans should fit into the local

contextcontext


Water; A source of Water; A source of inspirationinspiration



• Lessons learnedLessons learned– Water has a key role in beliefs and Water has a key role in beliefs and

ritualsrituals– Water wisdom Water wisdom # wise water # wise water

managementmanagement– Much water wisdom has been lostMuch water wisdom has been lost



• Religions are rethinking their roles to Religions are rethinking their roles to meet the present needs meet the present needs

• More action orientedMore action oriented

• Religion: an alley for sustainable Religion: an alley for sustainable water management?water management?


Water; A source of powerWater; A source of power

•HydropowerHydropower

•Political powerPolitical power

– causes and catalysts of the global water causes and catalysts of the global water crisis.crisis.


Water; A source of conflict or Water; A source of conflict or of cooperation?of cooperation?

•Water conflict => access to Water conflict => access to resourcesresources

•Water management = interest Water management = interest managementmanagement

•Water cooperation: Rhine, Nile, Water cooperation: Rhine, Nile, MekongMekong


Yemen, Marib damYemen, Marib dam


Cultural Impact of water Cultural Impact of water systemssystems


Forming a cultural bridge Forming a cultural bridge for successful and for successful and sustainable water sustainable water

managementmanagement

• Interested to learn more?Interested to learn more?

• Please read our book: Water a way of Please read our book: Water a way of lifelife

• Available at: www.crcpress.comAvailable at: www.crcpress.com


Key message

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