Inclusive governance: the role of knowledge in fulfilling the obligations of citizens

Abstract

Inclusive governance and citizen engagement in governing water is important in enhancing service delivery. Good citizens endorse their obligations alongside their respective rights. To date, much focus has been on the rights approach to fulfil basic human needs. There has been commendable progress in this regard. However, water resources are experiencing increased pressures from increased population, urbanization and industrialization in a time when climate change is manifesting recurrent extreme events and increased temperatures. In this paper, we present the point of focusing on citizens’ responsibilities and obligations alongside the rights approaches. We also make the submission that for citizens to recognize and act on their obligations, they need to be capacitated around water matters. Through social learning, enhanced collective action is expected with an outcome of improved decision-making.