Search

A one day workshop brought together around 20 journalists from various media houses and freelance journalists in The Gambia at the end of July. The topic was the ratification process of the 1997 United Nations Watercourses Convention, and how journalists can contribute to this process.

Water demand management and water supply management constitute two different ways of addressing human water use. Water is wasted and inefficiently used by many sectors, and simultaneously water demand is steadily increasing. Therefore, an obvious (and necessary) way to meet increasing demand is to increase the efficiency of use and supply, thereby making more water available within the constraints of existing supply.

Changing the behaviour of water users and water managers towards more sustainable practices is a necessary step in achieving water security. However, this requires changes of deeply held attitudes in individuals, institutions, professionals, and social organisations to encourage a more water-oriented society. By definition, social change instruments are not neutral: the positive aims that one person might pursue with their behavioural change could be considered destructive by others. Therefore, it is important to be clear on the goal (what to change) and on the method (how to change).