MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IN WATER MANAGEMENT

Contextualização

The session addressed challenges related to their experiences at the governmental level (in the state of Rio de Janeiro and Colombia) and also an initiative aimed to the creation of a water governance observatory – non-governmental organization. The main challenge in the field of “monitoring and evaluation” was the subjectivity and dynamism of social participation. The experience of the Water Governance Observatory spoke about the challenges associated with monitoring a national water resources policy in a country of geographic and cultural dimensions and diversity such as Brazil. The country has already installed over 200 river basin committees. In these contexts, there is a crisis of representativeness, where in general the least favored groups in water conflicts are excluded from the debate due to lack of opportunities and qualification.

Contextualization

Methods and indicators that adapt to different social and cultural contexts should be developed. Monitoring, for example, should detect whether the representativeness criteria within the water governance framework are being met so that this diversity of representations is guaranteed. Moreover, social participation evaluation mechanisms should be created; work to improve the representativeness of vulnerable groups in instances of participation associated with quality and quantity technical information; associate evaluation with georeferenced information systems; and develop methodologies for consensus building and pacts, and implement control systems that accompany the spread of new social participation practices.

Recommendations

The participation and union of the sectors towards a common, collective goal is a great motivator for society’s action and participation. The participation of society is fundamental for the evolution of management, planning of uses and mobilization of the necessary conditions to face the problems and challenges. Information and capacity building favor society’s participation in decision-making.