4th World Water Forum

Last Wednesday, the 4th World Water Forum ended in Mexico. Oddly enough, the forum was surrounded by protests against globalization and, perhaps much more relevant, against the privatization of water. At News a la Mexicana, we will recap the results of this week, where worl leaders and legislators met to talk about the most important natrual resource in the world: water.

The Mexico City declaration resolved:

1. Water and sanitation will be priorities for all development and poverty erradication strategies.
2. To reduce in 2015 by half the number of people who do not have access to drinking water.
3. To enhance sustainability of ecosystems and embrace innovative water management projects.
4. To support the UN as the coordinator for water management change.
5. The responsibility of providing access to water and sanitation in a sustainable way is the Government's who should seek funding support to meet the goals set out for 2015.
6. To support policies that lead to lessening water related disasters.
7. To use the newly launched web based decision suport system to promote reaching the 2015 goal and to share information with other international Water bodies.
8. To meet again in 2008.
   

I note the important distinction that it was agreed that it was the role and should be the priority of the government to continue to manage water related issues for their people. This should lead to a non politicized use of water, because of course, if corporations (aka privatization) are not allowed to participate in the name of profit, then governments should also not participate in the name of political capital.

I think we can all work and do our part to care for water and foment that our countries reach the lofty goal set for 2015. It's the government's role, but the government is made by us. You can read the full declaration at: http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx/files/decministerial_ing.pdf

Tags: International, In the News, World Water Forum

Chavez Butts In

After a weekend full of his characteristic paranoia, Hugo Chavez continued his attacks on "Mr. Danger" as he often calls George W. Bush. This time, though, he decided to look South of Mr. Danger's border and "butt in" to the Mexican presidential campaigns.

In a speech Chavez made in Carabobo, he accuses the Mexican right of using his image to attempt to stop the leftist frontrunner, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) from winning the Presidential election.

This was in response to the PAN's, a centre-right party, commercial where AMLO's statement and insulting attitude of late to the insults and speeches that Hugo Chavez used against President Fox a while back ago. This, in an attempt to portray AMLO as an intolerant person who will not only not listen to dissent but to reason. Hugo Chavez therefore becomes the emblematic symbol for "intolerance" and "lack of reason".

Now, it might be understandable why someone like me, who has written negative articles on Hugo Chavez before, would see this commercial and relate Chavez with those two things. But, why is Chavez himself acknowledging that his image isn't that of a "saviour" as he likes to think himself?

Perhaps, there is some reason behind all of his rhetoric...

Tags: Current events, International, In the News, News and Politics, Mexico, Venezuela, Latin America

New UN Human Rights Council Is Born

Today, in what was catalouged a "historic" vote, the General Assembly of the United Nations gave birth to the new UN Human Rights Council. This new Council was an attempt to increase not only the UN's credibility, but also that of the Human Rights Council which would in turn (hopefully) lead to more efficient and co-operative protection of human rights around the world.

Among the changes in the council, is a tighter agenda were members would meet more often to follow up on human rights issues and violations around the world, including those of its members. This is also a new change that will allow the council to be filled by those countries who are actually committed to human rights and do not have large negative blotches on their record. Furthermore, there will also be an attempt to have more of the geographic regions of the world represented in the council.

Of course, though there was applause from 170 countries after the resolution was passed, there was always someone there to "spoil" the party. Among those countries who voted against the resolution were Israel and our northern neighbour, the United States. Venezuela, another doubtful partner in human rights, abstained.

I don't know exactly why the United States would vote against such a measure, considering the fact that Mr. Bolton's objectives were actually to make sure the UN reformed and that's exactly what's happening. I reckon perhaps it'll be another dark mark for George W. Bush and his administration's lack of respect for human rights and international covenants.

Tags: Current events, International, In the News, News and Politics, UN, Human Rights