Things go better with coke, but not in Kerala.

The Coca Cola bottling plant in Plachimada is stealing Kerala's groundwater for profit, leaving wells dry and people thirsty. The People's Forum against Coca Cola resists corporate groundwater mining. It campaigns for democratic control over and sustainable use of natural ressources. The activists call for international solidarity with the struggle in Plachimada. (www.IndiaResource.org)

Corporations also grab the world's water and privatise rivers and public utilities. The corporate giants like Vivendi and Suez are taking over profitable water suppliers with the help of World Bank and Co. Driven by profit, prices rise and services deteriorate. Those who can't pay loose access to water. In this way the human right to water is violated.

The People's World Water Forum that took place in Delhi from 12 to 15 of January (www.pwwf.org) has launched gobal campaigns against Coca Cola and Suez.
Also, the World Social Water Forum took place one day before the opening of the WSF and was a first meeting for water activists at the WSF. During the forum there will be further speak-out sessions and strategy workshops.

One major aim of the 'water warriors' is to go beyond mere criticism and create a positive agenda. Bashing the corporates works a lot better when we are in a position to offer concrete alternatives. One example of a people-centred working model is the partnership between the South African Rand Water and the Brazilian ASEMAE. (www.waterjustice.org)

Diverse alternative models (going beyond traditional state-run systems) emerging around the world demonstrate that democratic, participatory and rights-oriented public management can deliver water effectively and create social change. We will discuss characteristics, merits and difficulties of these models and identify which enabling environment must be created to allow public water alternatives to flourish.

A key issue is how people-controlled water utilities can be financed. To meet the Millenium Development Goals on access to clean water & sanitation, the World Commission on Water estimates an extra $100 billion is needed, beyond the $80 billion already being spent. Debt and trade agreements severely inhibit the ability of poor countries to publicly deliver services. We must find ways to fund the needed investment without relying upon private corporations or International Financial Institutions.that demand privatization in return for their loans.

The water activists will come together for a final gathering where they will plan concrete actions and strategies on how to take on the corporations and keep water in public hands on the morning of 20 January in a solidarity tent. At the same time, there is the women and water meeting. Unfortunately, the gender perspective has already been missing in the Delhi meeting. It runs the risk of being sidelined in Mumbai once again unless activists mainstream gender in their workshops.