Abstract:

Sustainable management of freshwater resources is a critical global issue, especially in places where such resources are stretched thinly due to their relative scarcity and high demand. Freshwater scarcity leads to a variety of problems ranging from basic health issues to international conflict and displacement of entire populations. Existing solutions to water scarcity problems tend to be regulatory or tend to focus on large scale investment aimed at resolving the issue at once for large numbers of people. Case studies from several African countries seem to indicate that such solutions either do not work at all or have limited success. We share the belief of other researchers who are looking towards education in search of new and improved solutions. Greater water awareness among the local population as well as higher levels of education and understanding overall have been shown to reduce the negative effects of living in areas with difficult access to freshwater. We review a number of success stories in water resource management, analysing the role of education in achieving results. A key issue examined in every case is the legal framework, both national and international, governing access to those freshwater resources. Additionally, the role of international organisations, overall and pertaining to regional and local conflicts, is discussed in order to understand the political environment as well as the natural one.

Keywords:

Education, water, resources, management, legal framework, sustainability, regulation, international organisations, conflict, freshwater.