Ecumenical Water Network launched in brazil

The Ecumenical Water Network (Rede Ecumênica da Água: REDA-Brasil) was launched through an online event in Brazil on 22 July 2021.  The initiative aims to promote reflection and action for the waters of Brazil, raising awareness about the various issues involved, whether environmental or social.

CONTEXT

Although Brazil has the greatest volume of freshwater on the planet within its territories, 70% of its rivers are polluted with all kinds of industrial, domestic and chemical waste.  Climate change and social issues directly affect the supply of good water to the population.  Economic projects have commercialized water in our country.

RESPONSE

In light of this situation, the REDA-Brasil asserts three fundamental principles about water: it is a divine gift and therefore freely received and should be equally freely distributed and used; it is a human right essential to people’s lives and to all creatures that need water to survive; and it is a common good, since it belongs to all creatures and is something shared on the planet.  Water therefore has a “multiple value” and a “multiple use”.  And distributing water with justice is doing justice to the lives of all creation.

REDA-Brasil receives support from the Ecumenical Water Network of the World Council of Churches, established in 2006.

LAUNCH EVENT

Click on the image below to watch the launch event in full:

 

FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND CONSULTING BOARD

REDA-Brasil was founded by 7 organizations: the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (Conselho Nacional de Igrejas Cristãs do Brasil/CONIC); the Ecumenical and Inter-religious Centre of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Núcleo Ecumênico e Inter-religioso da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná/NEIR-PUCPR); the Oca do Sol Institute; the Ecumenical Coordination of Service (Coordenadoria Ecumênica de Serviço/CESE); the United Religions Initiative (Iniciativa das Religiões Unidas/URI); the Centre for Social Studies and Action (Centro de Estudos e Ação Social/CEAS) and Agora/Brasil.  These organizations have ecumenical, socio-environmental and inter-religious goals aimed at promoting collaboration in Brazil for water initiatives aligned with REDA-Brasil’s three main principles.

CESE is an ecumenical organization that works in the promotion and guarantee of Human Rights. For Bianca Daébs, CESE Advisor for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue, supporting the Ecumenical Water Network in this context means defending access to water as a common, natural and collective good.  “REDA works collaboratively to defend access to drinking water and consequently the preservation of springs, rivers, seas, oceans and the traditional peoples and communities who nourish their bodies and spirits while they preserve these sources of water,” she noted.

Alongside its 7 founding organizations, REDA-Brasil is supported by a Consulting Board made up of 17 experts specialized in a range of environmental issues, including climate change, water sources and springs, forests and oceans. A real team ready to change the game in favour of water justice.