An inspired Facebook update or a 140-character tweet could play a key role in shaping global development plans.
Over the next few weeks, policymakers are seeking input from the public via social media channels as they craft a sustainable development goal to address global water-management concerns and ensure water is available in the future for food and industrial production, for drinking and for sanitation.
Experts hope the internet-based public water consultation will help them forge streamlined goals for the post-2015 development agenda by building consensus around three main aspects of water management: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); water resources; wastewater management and water quality.
The vox-populi process is part of a broader effort by the United Nations (U.N.) to collate views on 11 overarching consultation topics that would replace the eight anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established in 2000, some of which are likely to remain unmet by the 2015 deadline.
In addition to water, goals being debated in the “World We Want 2015”campaign include inequalities, governance, health, environmental sustainability, population dynamics, growth and employment, conflict and fragility, food security and nutrition and education.
