CITIZENSHIP AND WATER EDUCATION: WORLD EXPERIENCES

Contextualization

The session discussed experiences of education and citizenship, in which all pointed to the need to produce profound cultural changes, based on permanent, continuous and articulated processes of education and citizenship, with all forces working on the theme of water. The challenges point precisely to the promotion and encouragement of this education process. The experiences presented demonstrate that it is essential to think of the issue of water and its relationship with education as a matter of citizenship, either from the political or pedagogical point of view. Due to the challenges of water management in the world and the prospect of achieving sustainable development goals, focusing on SDG-6, mobilization and participation of societies have become essential. It was also argued that different educational approaches should go beyond mere empowerment. It is about promoting an education that results in active citizenship that is strengthened through the social and political engagement of society’s base with environmental and water resources management, in order to develop societies with democratic, social, fair and environmental values, ensuring the quality of life for all.

Recommendations

The session listed a set of guidelines, such as: not giving up on educational processes, as the changes take place in the long run; educate to insert, transform, change; inclusion of women actively in this educational process, inserted in the dialogue; understand that people are in a personal, communicational conflict and sometimes lack tools to overcome these conflicts, so one should seek tools to overcome several social contexts, vulnerable or not; be persistent in the processes; see crises as opportunities; respect diversity and question the essential and symbolic needs for maintaining the hegemonic mode of production of goods and consumption.

Conclusions

The session concluded that there are many paths already outlined for water education. However, it is a long and not always easy road, and the responsibility should not only lie with education, research and extension organs, but should be also included in the various state policies. It is important to continue the ongoing reference actions.