Water, the foundation of all life, should be democratically controlled by all people locally. Historically, water has been seen as a "common". In other words, something that was owned by all the people but yet, not owned by anyone. It was understood that all the people and all the animals needed water to live and, therefore, it belongs to all to share.
Yet, increasingly giant multi-national corporations around the world have attempted to gain control in order to gain enormous profits. They have used provisions in free trade and bilateral investment agreements, written in part by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to force privatization of publicly owned water systems with sometimes disastrous results.
The problem in...
the developing worldResources - National and International, Oregon, Portland
Council of Canadians - "work(ing) with Canadians and people around the world to reclaim global and local commons which are the shared heriage of humanity and of the earth."
Food and Water Watch - "Working with grassroots organizations and other allies around the world to stop the corporate control of our food and water."
Public Citizen - Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts.
Willamette Riverkeeper - To make the Willamette River Watershed healthy for fish and wildlife, and safe for fishing and swimming, forever and for all.
Updated 8-14-07
