Launch of the European Public Water Network
Over Two Million Citizens Supported Water Referendum in Columbia
Joint Declaration of the Movements in Defense of Water
Securing the right to water in Bolivia
Nothing Sacred – The Growing Threat to Water and
Indigenous Peoples
Report on The International Solidarity Trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia
Over Two Million Citizens Supported Water Referendum
Update, June, 2009
Colombia’s Movement for Water Democracy and Constitutional Reform, Food & Water Watch.
Update, May 29, 2009
WIN! Water referendum appeal accepted by the Colombian Congress
Update, May 18, 2009
Update, April 24, 2009 - Colombian Congress Tears The Soul From Water Referendum
Yesterday, in a session of the First Commission of the Congress, a governmental majority approved a text contrary to the citizen iniative supported by more than two million colombians.
Update, February 20, 2009
Letter to Colombian Congress on passing the Water Referendum »
Update, November 28, 2008
Ecofundo and several other groups took part in a day long symposium on Friday at the Colombian Senate on their upcoming referendum on the right to water. It was held in the actual Senate chamber of the gorgeous Legislative building. The whole day was televised on national television. Their demand must now (on Monday) go to the Congress for consideration. If Congress says yes on Monday, they get a referendum within a year. If it says no, they have six months to get one million more votes and then they get their referendum whether or not the Congress likes it.
Although the water service in Bogota is still public and there is a tiered system of payment, the wealthy paying more; nevertheless, there are some very serious problems in Colombia. The private water sector is making strong gains - accounting for almost 50 per cent of water services around the country.
And because of massive poverty and displacement, many millions have no access to clean water, even in Bogota. This is particularly true in the slums which are considered temporary shelters and not provided with services.
If our Colombian friends are successful in this endeavour, it will be a stellar step forward in the global fight for the right to water.
Bogota, September 15, 2008
Approximately one thousand people marched from the National University of Colombia to the National Registry in Bogota to submitt 2,044,267 signatures supporting the Water Referendum. A colourful bus full of children from different schools of the city, like guardians of their future, closed the march. Colombian music performed by young people in stilts gave it a joyful and carnival atmosphere. At 3 pm aqueduct workers, environmentalists, indigenous people, public service supporters, and men and women of various ages entered, like a water torrent, the National Registry, to submit the signatures to the National Registrar. Without speeches and with little formalities, the diversity of expressions supporting this Referendum were shown, through moving statements of women of various ages; a little girl, an indigenous women. Rafael Colmenares, spokesperson of the National Committee in Defense of Water and Life read the letter to the Registrar.
This popular initiative started two years ago and has managed to join different local, regional and national initiatives in defense of water and life. The second period of collecting signatures started on March 14, 2008. It was a huge challenge; signatures corresponding to at least 5% of the people authorized to vote needed to be collected in six months, approximately 1.4 million signatures. During this six months it was necessary to go to the streets and rivers to carry out the task.
However, it wasn´t difficult to get the support of the people. How can someone oppose to water being considered a fundamental right? Who doesn´t want to protect strategic ecosystems? How can someone accept the threats of water privatization?
Finally, the task was carried out, the Colombian people answered the call for water. Every day, different people approached the tents located at big cities and the regional comittee in defense of water and life to join the campaign, to collect signatures and submit them. This was a way of stating "here we are and will be, we commit to water, to life and to the future of our children and grandchildren".
The National Registry will rule on this issue next month, so we are still alert to the challenges to the Referendum and the movement in defense of water and life. That small river born on February 14th , 2007, is a huge river now, impossible to dam.
By Tatiana Roa Avendaño, www.censat.org.
