As part of the consultation process on the update of its water and sanitation policy, the UK Department of International Development (DFID) opened a public e-forum from 16 July until 6 August 2007. In the e-forum, DFID asks for opinions on specific questions related to its current and future work priorities, working with multilaterals, its priorities at country and at international level, and fragile states. The same questions were posed in a face-to-face meeting on 17 July 2007 between DFID and UK sector organisations. The two key messages which emerged from this meeting were that DFID should do more to involve civil society in water debates and that there was a huge lack of capacity in the water sector [1].

Another input in the policy update process was an inquiry by a parliamentary select committee into water and sanitation [2]. In DFID’s response to the committee’s report [3], it agreed with the majority of the recommendations, but voiced disappointed at the lack of recognition for its work on (school) sanitation and its work with multilaterals. DFID also had doubts about the replicability of the community-based Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) approach, saying that government involvement with communities was a requirement for sustainability. DFID also dismissed the committee’s criticism of the Global Water Partnership (GWP).

A noticeable omission in the consultation process so far, when compared for example to the review of Finnish water policy [4], is the involvement of stakeholders from developing countries. DFID plans to present its new water policy by the end of 2007.

[1] – DFID consultation on water, sanitation and integrated water resources management : report on a consultation meeting at DFID, 17th July 2007. PDF file

[2] UK: parliament wants DFID to become global champion on sanitation. Source Weekly, 21 May 2007

[3] House of Commons. International Development Committee (2007). Sanitation and water : government response to the Committee’s six report of session 2006-07. PDF file

[4] IRC – Finnida Water Policy

Source: DFID - Consultations – DFID’s new Water, Sanitation and Water Resources Policy Update

Tags: policies & legislation