The city of Ibagué in Colombia became the epicenter of community water management. More than 400 people participated in the first International Congress on Community Water Management.
After kicking off the congress, the capital of Tolima became the center of national and international attention on water issues, marking a historic milestone for the city. On the opening day, more than 400 participants from across the country gathered at the Panóptico Cultural Complex to address one of today’s most relevant issues: sustainable water resource management.
The mayor highlighted the sacred value of water
During the opening ceremony, Mayor Johana Aranda emphasized the meeting’s symbolic and practical importance, particularly recognizing those who work tirelessly to ensure access to water in their communities.
“This congress is an act of gratitude to those who have made it possible to turn on a tap and have life flow from it,”
said the local leader, emphasizing the recognition these community managers deserve.
The mayor also took the opportunity to express commitment and solidarity with community organizations facing daily challenges in water resource management. In her speech, she made a strong statement about the sacred nature of water and the collective responsibility to protect it. She stated that
“there is a latent conviction that water is sacred, and our task as a society is to always defend it.”
The event showcased institutional commitment to community aqueducts
The event also served as a platform to demonstrate institutional support for community water management initiatives. The municipal administration reaffirmed its role in recognizing and strengthening these community systems, especially in areas where their work is less visible.
Harol Wilches, the Secretary of Environment and Risk Management, explained the municipal strategy to support these initiatives. “We must support community aqueducts in collecting, purifying, and transporting water,” said the official, detailing the mayor’s guidelines to reach territories requiring technical and administrative support.
This statement reflects a paradigm shift in local public management by recognizing the essential work carried out by community organizations in areas where the state is unable to guarantee drinking water services.
Thanks to the participation of three leading Latin American experts in community water management, the conference took on an international dimension. Representatives from Chile, Costa Rica, and Ecuador were present, providing a valuable regional perspective for the exchange of experiences and best practices.
José Rivera, president of the Rural Drinking Water Federation in Chile, expressed his satisfaction with participating in the conference and emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing. “This conference is very important because we can share our experience and learn from what is being done here,” said the Chilean leader.
Rivera also took the opportunity to emphasize the urgency of caring for water resources, warning that “this resource will run out if we do not take care of it.” This statement underscores one of the congress’s central messages: the need for responsible and sustainable water management.
Central and South American representation
The diversity of international experiences was complemented by Karen Guzmán’s participation. Guzmán is a representative of the National Confederation of Federations, Leagues, and Unions of Community Aqueducts of Costa Rica and contributed the Central American perspective on community water management.
Ximena del Rocío Criollo, administrator of the Baños Drinking Water Board in Ecuador, enriched the debate with the Andean experience in local drinking water system administration. These three international representatives demonstrate regional interest in the community management models being developed in Colombia.
The conference brought together not only representatives from community organizations but also various academic and institutional sectors. With more than 400 attendees from academia, institutions, and community management, the event’s scope is clear.
This diversity guarantees an enriching exchange of perspectives where practical community experience is combined with academic knowledge and institutional support. This creates a space conducive to formulating comprehensive strategies for water resource management.
The programmatic continuity of the conference
The event’s significance is reflected in its extended program, which continues on Saturday, September 13. The agenda includes specialized speakers from academia, the Ministry of Housing, City and Territory, and the Mayor’s Office of Ibagué, as well as other relevant sector leaders.
The second day is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. and promises to delve deeper into the technical and regulatory aspects of community water management, complementing the political and social perspectives addressed on the opening day.
A Historic Precedent for Ibagué
The first International Congress on Community Water Management is a historic event for Ibagué, establishing the city as a national leader in community water policy discussions. This event marks a turning point in recognizing community organizations as key players in water resource management.
Ibagué was chosen as the venue for this international meeting in recognition of the work carried out by local and regional organizations in community water management, as well as the municipal administration’s commitment to strengthening these alternative service delivery systems.
Toward a New Water Culture
The congress transcends the technical sphere, becoming a space for reflection on water culture and social responsibility. The participants’ messages converge on the need to transform the relationship between communities and water resources, promoting more conscious and sustainable management.
The mayor’s statement on the sacred nature of water, combined with international warnings about the finite nature of the resource, establishes a conceptual framework that invites us to reconsider traditional water management models and give greater prominence to community initiatives.
The First International Congress on Community Water Management in Ibagué is therefore not only an academic event, but also a turning point in developing more inclusive and participatory public policies on water. In these policies, communities play a leading role in ensuring one of our fundamental rights.
