WRC Khuluma Sizwe Dialogue,The Right to Water: Part 1
Date : 09 November 2012
Time : 10:00 - 12:00
Location : Law Faculty Auditorium, University of Pretoria
A joint seminar by the Human Sciences Research Council, Water Research Commission and the University of Pretoria
The Water Research Commission (WRC), the University of Pretoria’s Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa, and the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being, and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Globally, we live in a world where 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation, roughly 800 million people lack safe drinking water, one billion people go to bed hungry, 3 billion people are undernourished, and 60% of ecosystem services are deteriorating. This has been attributed to poverty, inequality and unequal power relationships, and it is exacerbated by social and environmental challenges: accelerating urbanization, climate change, and increasing pollution and depletion of water resources. In order to address this crisis, the international community has increasingly recognized that access to safe drinking water and sanitation must be considered within a human rights framework.
Taken as a human right, the right to water places certain responsibilities upon governments to ensure that people can enjoy sufficient, safe, accessible and affordable water, without discrimination. Most especially, governments are expected to take reasonable steps to avoid a contaminated water supply and to ensure there are no water access distinctions amongst citizens.
This dialogue will provide a platform for a world-renowned, distinguished academic and prolific writer to speak on the issue of the right to water. It will provide students, academics, researchers and the broader South African public to engage with Professor Ali Mazrui and other scholars on a topic that is both necessary and contentious.
Who should attend?
The Dialogue will bring together stakeholders from government, academia, research council, and local communities. The event is also open to the public.
Costs
No costs are involved and entrance is free for all those attending however your RSVP is essential. Participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
RSVP
Please complete the registration form and send it to Ms. Alison Bullen [abullen@hsrc.ac.za ] or Ms. Mmatsie Masekwa [mmatsiem@wrc.org.za ] by Friday 2 November 2012.