Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System Project -Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay / GEF, WB, OAS- Notes on Communication and Public Participation in the Guarani Aquifer. Roberto Montes, Reston, VA, April17th

Assumptions Communication as tool to promote public participation: Information, Information, Consultation, Consultation, Involvement, Involvement, Collaboration, Collaboration, Ownership / Empowerment. Ownership / Empowerment.

Guarani special features / Resource unknown (“aquifer?”),unknown (“aquifer?”), groundwater physical nature: invisible.groundwater physical nature: invisible.

Guarani special features / Project preventive (issue important but not urgent), preventive (issue important but not urgent), strongly scientific knowledge-building aimed (communicating science’s problems) strongly scientific knowledge-building aimed (communicating science’s problems) design failure: late (mid term) systematic communication inclusion. design failure: late (mid term) systematic communication inclusion.

Guarani special features / Institutional setting 4 countries (AR, BR, PY, UY),4 countries (AR, BR, PY, UY), 3 areas involved in each country: Water Resources, Environment, Foreign Affaires,3 areas involved in each country: Water Resources, Environment, Foreign Affaires, 12 points of view!12 points of view!

Guarani Communication Strategic option: a mix among Institutional communication (Project, GS), Institutional communication (Project, GS), Countries’ level communication (NPEUs), Countries’ level communication (NPEUs), Participatory communication (local level). Participatory communication (local level).

Local Communication It is s ound with resource’s physical nature and with its management (local by definition); It is s ound with resource’s physical nature and with its management (local by definition); It is able to address concrete conflicts (real or potential) and to involve specific actors; It is able to address concrete conflicts (real or potential) and to involve specific actors; It allows the development of materials with particular contents (that could be appropriated and followed by countries); It allows the development of materials with particular contents (that could be appropriated and followed by countries); Its scope is affordable in terms of resources; Its scope is affordable in terms of resources; It contributes to a participatory process towards the development of Project TDA and SAP. It contributes to a participatory process towards the development of Project TDA and SAP.

Local Communication (2) Pilot Projects Answer to local problems, Answer to local problems, Takes advantage of local experience / expertise, Takes advantage of local experience / expertise, Sound with local values, traditions, and points of view, Sound with local values, traditions, and points of view, Instrumental goal: development, application, and assessment of tools that could be appropriated and continued by countries. Instrumental goal: development, application, and assessment of tools that could be appropriated and continued by countries.

Challenges at local level Participatory communication instead of “dissemination”. Goals: Environmental education and GAS knowledge promotion, Environmental education and GAS knowledge promotion, “Groundwater culture” development, “Groundwater culture” development, Promotion of suitable water (and land) uses, Promotion of suitable water (and land) uses, Awareness creation and ownership on the aquifer (as a condition for its sustainable management). Awareness creation and ownership on the aquifer (as a condition for its sustainable management).

Guarani Citizenship Fund 24 grass-rooted regional NGOs’ information / education / communication projects; 24 grass-rooted regional NGOs’ information / education / communication projects; High level of local commitment; High level of local commitment; About 2.3 million people reached; About 2.3 million people reached;

Guarani Citizenship Fund (2) High value activities’ execution and materials’ production; High value activities’ execution and materials’ production; Participatory strategies (high level of public involvement); Participatory strategies (high level of public involvement); Groundwater problems set in regional civil society regional agenda. Groundwater problems set in regional civil society regional agenda.

Guarani Website

Guarani TV spot

Guarani Publications Universities’ Fund book Universities’ Fund book Serie of technical documents and manuals Serie of technical documents and manuals