L'eau et la sante dans les quartiers urbains defavorisees : table ronde de Sophia Antipolis, fevrier 1994

The round table on water and health, that was initiated by the French government, grew out of the recommendations outlined in Agenda 21 of the Earth Summit in Rio. The meeting which took place in Sophia Antipolis, from February 21 - 23, 1994, was attended by experts and practitioners representing more than 40 African, Asian, European and American nations. Focus of the meeting was the link between water and health in the most underprivileged urban quarters in the Third World. The meeting concentrated on the strategies described in Agenda 21, and on the premise that every human being has the inalienable right to clean drinking water, regardless of living and social conditions. The question was how to adapt these strategies to a specific situation and population. Talks revolved around four main themes, each of which is elaborated in the report: the role of the institutions; health, sanitation and community participation; technology and appropriate knowledge; finance and operations management. On the agenda were the exchange of field experiences that highlighted the kind of problems that were encountered, and the lessons learned from experience. These are summarized in the report, according to country. The recommendations that came out of this meeting constitute a framework for action directed at the international community.