#8: Events contributing to coordination between water and other sectoral policies

Regular events, e.g. workshops, organized by water authorities that focus on different aspects of a larger topic, e.g. irrigated agriculture.

Most OECD countries have engaged in efforts to co-ordinate water and other policy areas such as regional development, agriculture and energy. These efforts take different forms, ranging from political commitment at a high level to joint action of ministries and agencies at the sub-national level, sound legislative mechanisms and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders.

In Brazil, the National Water Agency (ANA) organizes regular events to promote the coordination of water-related sectors. ANA has organized multi-

"[A]ny person, group or organisation with an interest or ‘stake’ in an issue, either because they will be affected or because they may have some influence on its outcome. Stakeholders may include other government bodies.” (Ridder et al. 2005).

events with the goal of helping states and regions in the identification of future challenges and the development of adequate management strategies. As an example, in the

The context comprises all overarching societal and environmental factors that may influence but can hardly be influenced by the water governance and management system.

of the watershed-management program for the Sao Francisco River Basin (1999-2002), the agency organised more than 200 public events including seminars, workshops and plenary sessions. The initiatives shared the common theme of highlighting threats of contaminants coming from mining, agricultural, urban and industrial activity. The events have been much participated, with more than 12.000 stakeholders - including governmental organizations, universities, NGOs, unions - joining the program.
The result was the development of a "Comprehensive diagnostic analysis and strategic action program" which was finalised in 2003.