Beyond Technical Solutions to Drinking Water Problems

Marie Claire Brisbois, MASc, PhD CandidateWater Policy and Governance

University of Waterloo

Chimaltenango, Guatemala

Cerro Alto, Chimaltenango

SOLUTIONS?

Complex Problems

The Year was 1954…..• The newly elected

democratic government had begun to re-distribute land to the population• The United Fruit

Company (now Chiquita Banana), complained to the CIA that this affected their profitability• The CIA responded with

military support

The Civil War

• 1954: CIA backs a coup to overthrow the democratically elected government

• 1966: Military begins to clash with guerillas who are protesting undemocratic rule

• 1996: Peace Accords signed• 2012: Increasing violence,

poverty (50% of population), instability, gangs, drug trade, etc., etc.

Source: REMHI

Land Ownership

• Best land was appropriated during the civil war (1960 – 1996)

Dole banana plantation

Deforestation

Landslides/Disasters

Education

Gang Activity

Drug Trafficking

Mining

Free Trade

Etc….

Putting the Puzzle Together

Other Complex Problems?

Photo Credits

• http://dangrinnell.blogspot.com/2008/06/field-base-training-in-san-pedro.html

• http://0.tqn.com/d/gocentralamerica/1/0/P/7/-/-/2G360ChimalP.jpg

• http://www.panoramio.com/photo/48659430• http://www.guatemalastoveproject.org/part-3-dr-lyall-bl

ack-s-journal-life-in-a-highland-village-and-observations-of-medical-services/• http://calumc.org/WebDirectoryLayout/Ministries/Congr

egationalMinistries/guatemala.cfm

• http://bop.nppa.org/2006/still_photography/winners/INS/68974/137022.html

Future Opportunities

2012/2013 Internships:June 2012-March 2013

Info at:http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/

internshipsand

http://www.breaking-the-silence.ca/

internships.htm