UK: DFID opened an E-Forum on water policy

As part of the consultation process on the update of its water and sanitation policy, the UK Department of International Development (DFID) opened a public e-forum during the period: 16 July until 6 August 2007. In the e-forum, DFID asks for opinions on specific questions related to its current and future work priorities, working with multilaterals, its priorities at country and at international level, and fragile states. The same questions were posed in a face-to-face meeting on 17 July 2007 between DFID and UK sector organisations. The two key messages which emerged from this meeting were that DFID should do more
to involve civil society in water debates and that there was a huge lack of capacity in the water sector.

Another input in the policy update process was an inquiry by a parliamentary select committee into water and sanitation. In DFID’s response to the committee’s report, it agreed with the majority of
the recommendations, but voiced disappointed at the lack of recognition for its work on (school) sanitation and its work with multilaterals. DFID also had doubts about the replicability of the community-based Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) approach, saying that government involvement with communities
was a requirement for sustainability. DFID also dismissed the committee’s criticism of the Global Water Partnership (GWP).

A noticeable omission in the consultation process so far, when compared for example to the review of Finnish water policy, is the involvement of stakeholders from developing countries. DFID plans to present its new water policy by the end of 2007.