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Introduction to Stakeholder Engagement in International Waters Management

by Carl Bruch

Asia Regional Workshop on Stakeholder Engagement in

International Waters Management

Hanoi, Vietnam, 2-4 April 2008

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Workshop ObjectivesUnderstand the importance and benefits of stakeholder engagement

Identify participation tools and techniques, and considerations in using the tools;

Identify ways of integrating approaches into projects;

Identify peers who can assist; and

Address project-specific needs related to public participation

OVERVIEW

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What is Stakeholder Engagement?

A process in which stakeholder and public concerns, views, and values are incorporated into decision-making and implementation of water resource management.

Aims at improving decision-making during the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of projects and processes. It involves all stakeholders, including groups that are often marginalized.

Implies that decision-makers consider the views of stakeholders during the decision-making process.

NOT a single event or process…rather an ongoing commitment to building and maintaining relationships to effectively co-manage the resource

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Spectrum of Engagement

Increasing level of stakeholder involvement in planning, decision-making, and implementation of water resource management

The level or intensity of participation depends on the objective of the participatory procedure and to what extent the stakeholders need or are prepared to be involved. The number of stakeholders participating and the means of communication will vary according to the participation level

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InformingProviding clear and unbiased information to help stakeholders understand water-related issues, potential impacts, and solutions

Access to information is the basis of meaningful engagement – but not “participation”

Promise: We will keep you informed…

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Consulting with Stakeholders

Asking for stakeholder feedback on decisions, alternatives, or proposals:

two-way flow of information

Examples:Providing an opportunity to comment on draft project documentsHolding workshops to gain stakeholder feedback on priority water issuesSurveying communities to assess perceptions of water issues

Entails a commitment to keep stakeholder informed, listen to and acknowledge ideas and concerns and provide feedback on how stakeholder input influenced outcomes

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Actively Engaging

Involving SH as partners in defining water management issues, and in determining how to prioritize and address those issues cooperatively (from involving to empowering)

Examples:

Identifying and implementing projects in cooperation with communitiesCreation of stakeholder advisory forums that have a seat on decision-making bodies

Promise: to ensure SH goals and concerns are reflected to some extent in plans, decisions and activities

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How?

No blueprint…highly contextualized, but:

Process tools to plan and implement P2 strategically

Lessons learned in one context can often be adapted to apply in different contexts

There are some basic principles, as well as a “tool kit” of approaches

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Principles of Stakeholder Engagement

BENEFITS

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WHY?Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement

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“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”

(courtesy of Mr. Brian McCord)

The Good: Mount Shasta, CCDA Spring Water Plant

Challenge:Environmental and religious groups

“Take our water and ruin the Mountain”

Action:Followed development procedure “Experts in Region”

Met with locals, strong communication plan – transparent.

The Mount Shasta Result:Opposition kept at a minimum

Media gave project a fair representation of facts

Constructed plant which now provides economic value

Officials used project as example of good corporate citizen

Future challenges easily addressed

The Ozarka Result:Went to Supreme Court pumping upheld due to water rights law “Rule of Capture”

Local, State and Federal Officials against it

“Anti-bottler” Groundwater Conservation District Formed

Adverse Media attention to bottled water – spilled to their other Plants

The Bad: Ozarka

Challenge:Angered Local Residents

“Taking of our water by a foreign company for rich people.”

Action:Ignored local residents and newly formed Anti-Ozarka group

Started an Advisory Council with “Hand Picked People”

The Ugly – Who, What and Why?Ice Mountain, Michigan – resulted in stop pump order, shut down of plant, set a new precedence – Local Cit izens & Outside Environmental ists

Crystal Spring, Florida – denial of withdrawal permit, trucking of water - New Environmental Group Formed

Ontario, Canada - Increase application, trigger values for fishery set too low, even with science resulted in no increase, production needs not met - Regulatory Agencies

Kerala India - Coca-Cola accused of depleting the water table, pesticides in product – Local citizens, International NGO and Government

Quebec - Salt contamination from road icing – resulted in reduction of salt and sustained use of source - Contamination

High Spring and Mount Shasta - “Well Dried Up” resolved with data – Perceived Overdraft of Aquifer

Diamond Spring PA - “Water taking affected trout fishery” resolved with data - Drought Condit ions

Protect Our Sources - Protect Our Busi ness

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WHY?Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement