EVALUATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC QUALITY OF THE PROCESS OF PREPARATION OF THE PLAN OF WATER RESOURCES OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF THE RIO DOCE
Name: ANDRÉA BARBOSA ALVES
Publication date: 17/11/2015
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| EDMILSON COSTA TEIXEIRA | External Examiner * |
Summary: The aim of this study is to analyze the democratic quality of the integrated plan of water resources of the basin of the Rio Doce (Sweet PIRH). Based on the methodology proposed by the practical guide for evaluating participatory processes the International Observatory of participatory democracy (IOPD, 2009), we analyzed the frequency lists of three series of public meetings, held between the years 2008- 2009 related to the stages of planning (diagnosis, prognosis and goals). Our focus were the criteria related to quantity, attendance and diversity of participating actors. The River Basin Committee (RBC) stands out in the Brazilian scenario as one of the pioneering experiences of development of the river basin plan-one of the responsibilities of the committees established by the national water resources Policy. Approved in 2010, the Sweet PIRH was prepared following the guidelines on participation of the international organizations and legal standards of water resources expressed in term of reference signed with the company hired to conduct the plan. While recognizing the merits of the initiative in relation to the advancement of participatory, decentralized management and integrated water resources management-it turned out the fragile engagement of the population in the discussion of the plan. And although one should highlight the significant membership of the civil organizations, whose participation was not planned initially, we register important absences, whether in Government, whether Civil society and even of actors formally engaged in the management of water resources, if the members of RBC in relation to attendance, the holdings were irregular, characterized by discontinuity and alternation of the attendance of the representatives , which may reflect on the quality of the discussions, the criteria for making decisions and compromises the principle of representativeness. In relation to the diversity of actors in the process, we note that, despite the significant participation of civil organizations, especially environmental, most gifts were linked directly or indirectly to the Government. There are several possible explanations for the low level of participation and presence. These are issues that interfere with the democratic quality of the process and suggest the need to revise the forms of communication, mobilization and planning processes, as well as investment in education for participatory management strengthening and improving governance and citizenship for the waters.
