During 2007 and through the work on the Masherek Maghreb portal (www.e-joussour.net)
a group of civil society organizations and activists has met on the idea of
working on the issue of water's right in the region. The group participated
in a project coordinated by DSC (www.dscegypt.org)
and supported by Oxfam Novib for:" training on Advocacy and campaigning
defending rights in essential services"

that aimed to:
• Develop the knowledge and skills of NGO activists in the area of advocacy
and lobbying and collect practices ;
• Promote the involvement of participants in campaigning in the field
of privatization of essential services (water, health and education) in the
Arab region.

Participants have worked through the project period to develop local and regional
campaigns in the three fields. One of the most important outcomes was plans
for campaigns in the region and composing a task force to begin this campaign.

The group working on water rights through this project developed an operational
plan, for a regional campaign that includes activities that has been implemented
on voluntary basis. The group planed with limited resources to hold a meeting
to develop the process towards launching an Arab Forum for Water to work for
the aim of guarantying the rights of all citizens to water, its provision, quality
and fair access to it in the Arab Region and in coordination of all international
partners working for the same aim.

The first meeting will be held in Beirut- Lebanon 15 & 16 November 2008
under the slogan:
“Water is a human right not a merchandize”

For the Forum's proposed Charter please check: Forum Activities
For the Meeting Agenda please check: Forum Agenda