The “Ecumenical Declaration on water as a human right and a public good” brings together churches in Switzerland and Brazil in a common statement on the fundamental importance of water for human life, society and creation. It was issued by the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches FSPC, the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil CONIC, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil CNBB and the Swiss Conference of Bishops. The declaration was published in connection with the UN “Water for Life” International Decade for Action 2005–2015.

The declaration begins with the fundamental conviction that water is a basic precondition for all life. The churches describe water as a gift of God, available to all for responsible use, and as a public good that should not be privatised. At the same time, they affirm access to water as a human right. Particular attention is given to women and girls who, in many countries, bear responsibility for collecting water, with consequences for their health and access to education.

The document combines a human-rights perspective with theological and spiritual reflection. Water is understood not merely as an economic commodity but as something with social, cultural, medical, religious and mystical significance. The declaration draws on biblical references to creation, God’s provision of water for the people in the desert and the Christian significance of water in baptism.

The declaration addresses topics including:

• access to water as a human right;
• water as a public good;
• opposition to the privatisation of water;
• affordable access to drinking water;
• participation of local communities in decisions on water resources;
• priorities for the use of scarce water resources;
• environmental responsibility;
• an international UN convention on water.

The churches call on states to guarantee access to drinking water for the whole population and to treat water as a public good. They also call for legal priorities governing water consumption. Meeting the thirst of human beings and animals and ensuring water supplies for food production should come first. The declaration links these priorities to preventive environmental policy and solidarity between local governments, countries and peoples.

The participating churches also commit themselves to action. They undertake to encourage churches, congregations, institutions, ecumenical groups and partner organisations to support the declaration, to work with social movements and NGOs in Switzerland and Brazil, and to urge governments to guarantee the human right to water and support the development of an international UN convention on water.

The ecumenical declaration therefore connects human rights, social justice, care for creation and the spiritual significance of water. It offers a church-based perspective on protecting access to this essential resource and on the shared responsibility to use water sustainably and for the benefit of all.

Read the full document as a PDF: SEK et al – Ecumenical Declaration on water as a human right and a public good. Common Text 1.pdf