Interview with Emad Al-Khalil
Emad, which challenges are you facing in the Azraq Basin?
Azraq has a large groundwater basin, which is very important for the Jordanian government because it is the main supply for drinking water for the Jordanian people. The problem is that since the 90s the groundwater level of the Basin goes down every year: 40 meters through 20 years. This problem can’t be solved by the Jordan Ministry of Water and Irrigation alone. So, the GIZ suggested creating a body which involves all stakeholders in a dialogue to find a solution that benefits all of them - this body is called Highland Water Forum (HWF) . Due to the fact that more than 500 farmers are working in this area, it was impossible to involve everybody. Therefore we selected representatives from the farmers applying the scientific methodology called Social Network Analysis (SNA). Since 2010, 10 meetings took place and we discussed different topics. Afterwards, the forum members developed an Action Plan (AP) containing their many requests. Through this AP we will achieve the main objective of the HWF: to save water for the next generation.
Why do you think Stakeholder Dialogue is so important?
Since the Ministry of Water and Irrigation can’t solve the problem by itself, it is important to bring all relevant stakeholders together to participate in the discussion. They all will contribute with their efforts to overcome this problem. Through their involvement, they will be more confident and more interested in finding a jointly agreed solution.
For the future I think we are on the right track. The stakeholders started to be more aware about the water problem. There are fewer conflicts between the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the farmers.
In my opinion, the HWF has contributed to this result. Before its establishment, any negotiation or discussion between all parties was not possible at all. And now the HWF enables stakeholders to discuss about the challenges they are facing as well as to share ideas on how to overcome them. Water is not only relevant for the farmers, it affects us all.
How do you think the Dialogic Change Model can help you in your work?
Yes, sure it will be useful. After attending the course Working with Stakeholder Dialogues , the methodology is clearer to me. Now I know where I made mistakes; I know what I should do and which methodology I should use. I can develop strategies so that it is much easier for me to continue the stakeholder dialogue and to facilitate this dialogue between all the stakeholders.