Developing Capacity on Water Ethics and Integrity - A Network Approach

Lessons from the Water Ethics NetworkDavid Groenfeldt

31 May 2013

Water Ethics Network "Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of Water"

The Water Ethics Network provides a forum for water professionals, business leaders, indigenous representatives, academics, civil servants, artists, philosophers, and others.

• Premise: Making water users/managers more aware of the ethics dimension of their actions will improve behavior

Information Channels

•Newsletter

•Website (waterethics.org)

•Blog

•Social Media• Twitter• Facebook• LinkedIn

Characteristics of the Network

•Open membership• Subscribe to newsletter (477)• Join Facebook (110) or LinkedIn (100) groups• Follow on Twitter (397)

•Information focus (no activities)• Ethics examples• Campaigns• Resources

•Outreach• Through social media• Other established networks

“Pros” of this approach

•Neutral / objective•Inexpensive•Potential for expansion• Increased “membership”• Partnerships

“Cons” of this approach:

•Passive •Doesn’t suggest solutions•Doesn’t offer direct training

Follow-up Activities

• Book on Water Ethics (Sept 2013)

• Water Ethics Charter– Collaborative activity under

preparation:• Water-Culture Institute• French Water Academy• Botin Foundation• Alliance for Water Stewardship• and others…

• Training Module (proposed)

For more about the Water Ethics Network and Charter, see www.waterculture.org/initiatives.html

Purpose of 5th Symposium

Thank you for your attention.

David GroenfeldtWater-Culture Institute

dgroenfeldt@waterculture.orgwww.waterculture.org