Water, Development, and U.S. Policy: Preparation for the Fourth World Water Forum

About this grant

In preparation for the Fourth World Water Forum, scheduled for Mexico City in 2006, Aspen Institute will work with the organizers to ensure a constructive U.S. presence at the meeting. Although access to basic water services, including clean drinking water and sanitation services, is still unavailable to as many as three billion people worldwide, water has not been given the widespread attention of other environmental and health crises. Because the forum is a critical international policy venue for developing such pragmatic actions, it is vital for the United States to take a leading role in the meeting.Funding will support goals that include highlighting public awareness of the importance of water for development, health and the environment; helping define a set of issues that can contribute to the forum agenda; and encouraging an active and constructive U.S. presence at the forum. To achieve these goals, the Aspen Institute will conduct a multi-stakeholder dialogue, bringing together 25 U.S. participants to determine the agenda and/or action items for preparatory meetings and the 2006 forum; and coordinate an effort to publicize recommendations from the forum.The Aspen Institute works to develop practical leadership in today’s world through nonpartisan seminars and policy programs for leaders in business, government, media, education, the arts and the independent sector from democratic societies worldwide.