50th Congress of Liberal International, 26-28
October 2000, Ottawa/Hull, Canada.
As adopted by the Congress of Liberal
International Ottawa/Hull, Canada 26-28 October 2000
Liberal International recognising that adequate
supplies of water of good quality are essential to life:
Notes that this essential resource:
-
Is in
short supply in many parts of the world;
-
Is
unsafe for human consumption in many areas;
-
Is
constantly threatened in all areas by unsustainable use, pollution and changes
in land use.
Warning that the shortage of water and disputes
over its supply are grave threats to peace. Further notes that in many parts of
the world:
-
Essential
community supplies are obtained only by the daily prolonged drudgery of women;
-
Inadequate
supplies, pollution and political disputes or inertia are promoting much
avoidable disease and disability.
-
Installation
for improved supplies often focus upon agricultural use rather than
amelioration of women's labour;
Calls accordingly upon all Liberal Parties
world-wide to introduce or urge their Government to:
-
Use
appropriate technology which respects the environment and can be installed with
the help of the local community;
-
Promote
understanding and collaboration in water management at all levels of the
community from the individual to the international;
-
Promote
systems to ensure sharing and fair distribution of water resources between
communities and nations;
-
Develop
institutions and measures to encourage peaceful collaboration at all levels, in
the interests of preserving and conserving for all people this life-giving
resource.