Turkey will host a very important meeting in March in 2009. The 5th World Water Forum will be gathering in İstanbul in order to discuss the water policies of the world. In the forum dominated by state administrations and private companies, the entities who have been the creators of the ‘water’ problem so far will seek for the ‘solution’ of the problem. The one of the most important agenda of the forum is that the opening of the water sources and investments such as barrage etc. To the privatization process.

We believe that, water is the common public property of all the people in the world. Nobody, whoever he /she is can not see use water as if it is his/her private property. Water is the indispensable source and main need of all ecosystems. 

Because it is indispensable, all human communities and every single person must have the right of accessing water – particularly drinking water – in adequate quality and quantity. The welfare of the society can not increase without water, water can not be measured with any other source, it can not exchange with the aim of benefit. 

Water should contribute the developing of solidarity between communities, people, genders and countries.  

Water resource allocation and income distribution are unequl on world and regional level. But this does not mean that this situation should remain as it is now. 

Many governments use the water sources as a source of economic income. And they take economic profit as the base of their acts when they do this. 

The usage and administration of the water resources must be planned and applied long term (sustainable) through considering social equality and ecological/environmental requirements. So, as far as this fact is concerned, water must be used in a way that next generations can use it equally and freely.

The financial responsibility of water must be both individual and public on the basis of availability and responsibility. Water must be provided in a way that it can meet the need of every single person and community and providing this must be undertaken as a social agreement. 

Water policy means high democracy on local, regional, national and international level.
The decisions about water must be taken by the majority of society and throug democratic means, the communities and people must be included in the process actively on local and regional level. The decisions about the administration of water must be based on socio-economic majorities and respect to the culturel differences. 

The pro-development approach in Turkey which does not consider the environment and which is based on the consuming of natural resources to the last must be left, the barrage projects must be revised in this frame. The idea of the privatisation of water and natural resources must be discarded, and water must not be seen as an international hegemony instrument. The damages resulted from water and nutrition crisis related global warming must be met, and the policies decreasing the carbon emission must be applied immediately. 

We, who are acting with these reasons and demands, will held the Alternative Water Forum in İstanbul in March in 2009 with many social movements in the world. We call everybody to participate in this process in which we will discuss various titles about water and have activities and demonstartions against World Water Forum which sees water as a profit area.

People, Not Profit !

Another Water Administration is Possible !

AKCEP (Mediterranean Environmental Platform)

Allianoi Inisiyatifi - Allianoi Initiative

Babels Network (Turkey)

Barisarock Inisiyatifi - Rock for Peace Initiative

Bugday Ekolojik Yasami Destekleme Dernegi - Bugday Support for Ecologic Life Association

Cevre Icin Hekimler Dernegi - Doctors For Environment Association

Derelerin Kardeşliği Platform - Brotherhood of the Rivers Platform (Black Sea Region)

Fırtına Vadisi Girişimcileri - Initiative for Firtina Valley (Black Sea Region)

Filmmor Kadin Kooperatifi - Filmmor Women's Cooperative

Genc Praksis Dergisi - Praksis Youth Magazine

Goc-Der - Association of Migrants

Guneydogu Anadolu Belediyeler Birligi - South East Municipaties Union of Tuıkey (including 80 municipalities)

Hasankeyfi Yasatma Girisimi - Initiative to Protect Hasankeyf

Heinrich Boll Stiftung Dernegi - Heinrich Boll Stiftung

Helsinki Yurttaslar Dernegi - Helsinki Citizen's Association

Insan Haklari Dernegi (Istanbul Subesi) - Human Rights Association (Istanbul Branch)

Kadikoy Kent Konseyi - Kadikoy City Council

Kuresel Eylem Grubu - Global Action Group

Mezopotamya Kultur Merkezi - Mesopotamia Cultural Center

Munzur'u Koruma Kurulu - Campaign to Protect Munzur

Ozgur Demokratik Alevi Hareketi - Movement of Independent Democratic Alevi's  

Pir Sultan Abdal Kultur Dernegi - Pir Sultan Absal Cultural Association

Selis Kadin Dernegi - Selis Women Association

Sosyal Demokrasi Vakfi - Social Democracy Foundation (SODEV)

SODEV Genclik - SODEV Youth

SOGEP - Center For Gender Equality and Social Developement Politics

Tunceli Dernekleri Federasyonu - Federation of Tunceli Associations (TUDEF)

Tuketici Dernekleri Federasyonu - Federation of Consumer Associations

Uluslararası Af Orgutu, Turkiye Subesi - Amnesty International, Turkey Branch

Vapurlarimi Vermiyorum Kampanyasi - Vapurlarimi Vermiyorum Campaign

Yesil Adimlar Cevre Egitim Dernegi - Green Steps Environment and Education Association

Political Parties that support the campaign

Demokratik Toplum Partisi - Democratic Society Party (DTP)

Devrimci Sosyalist Isci Partisi - Revolutionary Socialist Workers Party (DSIP)

Emekci Hareket Partisi - Labor Movement Party (EHP)

Yesiller Partisi - Greens Party