Dr. Magdy A. Hefny Director of Regional Center for Studies and Research of Water Uses Ethics

1. Experience And Lessons Learnt from my Participation in the NBRP At Bergen University, Dr. Magdy A. Hefny Director of Regional Center for Studies and Research of Water Uses Ethics RCWE

2. Content • I. My Experience with the Program • II. Water Ethics: Nature, Scope, and Mechanism • III. The Need for A Nile Basin Network for Water Ethics RCWE

3. I. My Experience with the Program • First of all I would like to thank: • - Professor Terje Tvedt the initiator of the program, • - Prof. Rune Nilsen, the director of the program and, • - All other colleagues and organizers at UNIFOB who have given of their valuable time to bring us together and for their efforts to propagate research to serve better our Nile Region.

4. I. My Experience with the Program (Continued) • The program has given me space and time to meet with my dear friend and colleague Professor Jacob Arsano, of Ethiopia. So, over three months, we were able to have a candid exchange of views on all issues related to the Nile Basin and even sensitive ones in their complexities, • The academic atmosphere in the beautiful city of Bergen, created a new spirit of listening to each other, appreciating each others views, generated ideas that is helpful to consolidate the ongoing progress in the Nile Basin Initiative • Prof. Terje Tvedt an outstanding Nile historian and as a scholar has given us from his valuable time, joined us on many occasions to clarify lessons of history and the way ahead for more cooperation on the River Nile. • The program has generatedkinship among us that is staying with us with such great living memories we enjoy together.

5. I. My Experience with the Program (Continued) • It was automn 2000, when I started my research project on “Assessing the Nile 2002 Conference Series: Consensus Building and Lessons Learnt”, • It has proven that using Dialogue and its tools is useful to widen areas of consensus among riparian countries. • One year after, AEWAG, a Swiss Federal Institute in Zurich launched a program of workshops on “Sustainable Development and International Cooperation in the Eastern Nile Basin”. • The circle is widening to include scholars from The Sudan. • As a result three papers have been published in the “Aquatic Sciences Magazine", on Egypt and the Nile, Ethiopia and the Nile and Sudan and the Nile, with a summary of the workshop proceedings and conclusions. • I consider that Bergen Research Program has put the seeds for such development and encouraged continued constructive Dialogue among us.

6. II. Water Ethics: Nature, Scope, and Mechanism • Nature:Two Basic Questions to Investigate, among others: • - How to balance the right to water as a prerequisite for life with the right of ownership?, • How to agree on preventing contamination or selfish exploitation of a shared basic resource?

7. Scope: The Value System on Local, River Basin and International Levels Ecological System Trans boundary Integrated Water Resources Management USERS Trans boundary Ecological System Environmental Law (Polluter pays, Sustainable use & Development) UN Convention of 1997 (established principles for water rights & obligations) USERS: Agriculture, Energy, Household, Tourism, Health • Efficiency, • Transparency’ • Accountability • Stewardship • Team work • Equity • Participation Ownership, Right to Water Accessibility (local laws & regulations) Socio, Economic and Cultural Development Strategies, Policies, Action

8. COMEST Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Kyoto (3rd WWF): RENEW Nodes 2002-2005 2002-2003 Aswan Ethical Guidelines: A call for a Code of Conduct, RENEW Nodes established Conferences 1999 Oslo First Meeting: Freshwater Subcommittee 1999 1998 UNESCO-COMEST Established UNESCO_COMEST Conferences 1998 RCWE

9. Political Participation Democratic dialogue Political Will Socio-Economic Responsiveness Solidarity Bio-physical Inclusiveness Environmental justice Shared Values Standards of best Ethical Practice in Water Use and Management Good governance Respect for cultural diversity Self sufficiency Human Dignity Common good Stewardship Rights to water and health Conflict resolution Effective clean low-cost technologies Confidence Integration Human development Accountability Empowerment Open information Transparency

10. Networking is Essential. What kind of a Network? Public / Private Domain Water Sector Demand / Supply Side Management • We Need Networking? Through:interacting triangular partnership for creating knowledge based 'ideas' that could be translated into ‘projects' • We Need to launch the establishment of A Nile Basin Network for exchange of experiences of best practices. Engineers, Experts / Consultants Domain Research / Academia Domain RCWE

12. Action Research Generating ideas and knowledge management based on Action Research. RCWE

13. Action to actualize water Ethic in the Nile Basin: Five ideas • (1) Deepen the Nile values and Cultural Heritage. • (2) Learning from Each Other Experiences for Knowledge Transfer • (3) Using Dialogue and its Tools • (4) Eradicating poverty is the main challenge of the Millennium • (5) The Need for a Nile Basin Network for Water Ethics RCWE

14. How to deepen the Nile values? • Investigation could be on regional and local level to bring about commonalities: • The common heritage, history, • Cultural aspects: indigenous traditions particular for each society, e.g., elders play a role, informality, relaxed time (negotiation under the tree), family strong attachment, • Religion is at the centre of every day life, • State laws and regulations • Local law, and customary law • Ethical guidelines (writen and not written), known from the popular sayings. • Education, schools • Investigation could be within the context of global values.

15. The Question of Reason Why? • On the general level: • River Nile is a common heritage of all riparians. • Water is a human right issue of priority. • Access to water is legitimate for every individual community and country, and especially for the poor. • Collaborative action under the NBI is the only way to face to the challenges and complexities of future water demand. • The case of the Nile is a case of enhancing confidence building. • Through negotiation of international agreement it is possible to get a satisfactory win-win benefits. • The water data availability principle should be respected by all riparian countries. • There is no fresh water security without major shift in thinking (Malin Falkenmark). • Changing behavior through changing structures: cultures, education and model of thinking, will bring about better understandings and appreciation of each other problems. • Creating a learning environment on the Nile is essential

16. Water Ethics Monitor

18. RCWE: a mechanism for promoting water ethics. Challenges Output Implementation Mechanisms Activities • Code of Conduct • Best Practice • Public Awareness • Knowledge Transfer • Information Technology • Regional and International • Cooperation RCWE

19. RCWE: RENEW Node, EGYPT Concept Paper, in Cooperation with the Sector in Focus Concept Paper to be enriched through a Panel A Workshop to be Convened with major Stakeholders Participation Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Structure & Method of Work • Regional RENEW Nodes: • Nordic Countries • South East Asia The Higher Committee Unesco – Cairo Office The Steering Committee Advisors • Executive Office • Technical Staff • Secretariat • Information Technology Director Method of Work Output RCWE

20. The Nile Basin We are all in the same boat !

21. If common interest will lead, Nile basin countries will follow

22. THE END • THANK YOU