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United Nations Development

Programme
Background Guide

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Chair Letter
Delegates,
Welcome to Boston Universitys annual high school conference! We are very excited to
have you all participating and are especially looking forward to working with you all on arguably
the most important issue of our time: safe, sustainable, secure development. The United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) will allow you, delegates, to engage in global issues of great
relevance and importance.
As your chair, I am personally very excited about hearing your discussion on
development. I am a double major at Boston University in International Relations (Focusing in
Development and East Asia) and Environmental Analysis and Policy. I have been involved with
MUN for years now, starting as a delegate in high school, then running my high schools section
for two years. So if you have any questions about high school or college MUN, feel free to ask
me at the conference.
Best of luck to all, and we very much looking forward to working with you all in
committee,
Tova Levin
UNDP Chair
BosMUN 2015
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact:
committees@bosmun.org

And check the website:

bosmun.org

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Introduction to the Committee

Founded in 1965, the UNDP has been committed since its inception to creating a
healthier, safer, more democratic, and more sustainable world by supporting developing nations
and areas. The UNDP supports voting procedures, sustainable development practices, and
poverty reduction policies in over 170 countries. The UNDP is also responsible for publishing
the Human Development Report, which provides comprehensive and reliable information about
the state of development in the international community. In general, the UNDP works to improve
the quality of life for all humans.i
Some of the major current focuses of the UNDP include the prevention of crises,
recovery efforts, encouraging environmentally friendly practices, reducing the spread of lifethreatening diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, womens development, and economic
development. This means that the jurisdiction and aims of the UNDP often overlap with other
sections of the UN such as the UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), UNFPA
(Population Fund), UN women, etc. Thus, cooperation and a consideration of multidisciplinary
implications are necessary for working within the UNDP.ii
For this conference, we will be discussing two topics:
1. The development of post-conflict nations
2. Access to and the sustainable use of water

Therefore, issues of recovery efforts and environmentalism will be particularly pertinent;

however, you are highly encouraged to engage all aspects of the UNDPs jurisdiction and goals.
While these are global issues, keep in mind that the UNDP does not generally become involved
with post-industrialized nations.

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Introduction to Topic 1
The Development of Post-conflict Nations
Explanation and background:
The issues that tend to plague post-conflict nations can range from economic failures, lost
infrastructure, misappropriated natural resources, or psychological impacts on individuals.
However, whether or not any combination of these obstacles are present, a large part of aiding a
nation post-conflict comes in rebuilding (or creating new) the political and social architecture of
the country. This becomes a relevant complication in any environment anywhere on Earth and is
necessary to create the stability that is required to implement other aid. In order effectively
establish schools or medical supply outlets, ensuring that the larger systems are in-tact and strong
is a crucial preemptive measure. iii
Post-conflict nations, in this case, refer to countries that have experienced civil war,
invasion, intense terrorism, armed conflict with a sovereign nation, or other similar instances of
violence on a state-wide scale. Keeping in mind that the UNDP does not engage in military
intervention or peacekeeping in current conflicts, ongoing recognized warfare does not generally
fall within the domain of this committee. It is the responsibility of the UNDP to help victims of
the institutionalized effects of relatively long-term conflicts.iv
Proposed direction:
When searching for potential solutions to problems in post-conflict nations, remember
that the priority of the UNDP is to protect and help the humans living in the affected area.
Further, the implications for international relations, such as strategic alliances and the ethics of
interventionism, should be considered when discussing aid for post-conflict nations.

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About the Development of Post-conflict Nations

Problems faced:
In general, the rebuilding and restructuring of a society tends to be the most difficult
aspect of development that post-conflict nations face. This means that these areas are in need of
more than just boxes full of medical supplies or increased access to clean water. Although setups
like these are greatly appreciated by war-torn regions, in order to set up a stable and lasting
institution in the wake of devastating conflict, both the format of national governance and the
framework of the social perspective must be altered.v
Beginning with the former, insights into the economic and political conditions of a state
are necessary to move forward with development. Speaking broadly in terms of applicable
processes for dealing with any nation in this situation, delegates should first look at the history of
government in the nation. Determine which types of governance were more stable andperhaps
more importantlywhy they were more successful. For instance, if the religious majority of a
state favors a particular dictator, that leader might have had a stronger rule because the citizens
did not revolt against the government for cultural reasons. Conversely, if an area has a history of
uprisings that stem from grievances about the government not representing the people accurately,
then that nation might be more accepting of a democratic form of government. Either way, it is
important for delegates to remember that not every state is identical nor do they fit into seemly
boxes. Tailoring attempts at peace to the individual needs of each nation is a vital step to creating
a lasting solution. vi
To address the latter, social perspectives, a more sensitive and subtle approach is
necessary. It is by no means within the rights or jurisdiction of the UNDP to attempt to alter or
discourage ingrained cultural beliefs, so delegates should be wary of making broad general

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statements as such. However, in order to establish any development efforts, it is sometimes

necessary to help change the mindset of some of the population. The greatest tool the UNDP has
in such situations is education. Often if there is a social holdup about, for instance, voting,
educating the public on why and how to do this will benefit the citizens of the nation in that it
allows them the choice to engage.
Why is this happening?
Why are nations involved in conflict in the first place? Given the broad nature of the
term, conflicts can arise due to political, economic, religious, cultural, etc. reasons and can be
inter- or intra-state. This means that there is no singular reason why a nation might be involved
in conflict. However, since the end of the world wars, the prevalence of traditional warfare has
significantly declined globally, if not vanisheddepending on which scholar or theorist you ask.
Traditional warfare refers to total attritional war between major world powers which is often
over territory or ideology. Warfare in the modern day, often exclusively termed as conflict due
to its deviation from the original definition of war, is most likely asymmetrical, limited warfare
with vague and constrained goals or skirmishes constrained within a particular area. A war is
asymmetrical if one side has a significant advantage in terms of troops, economy, and weaponry
over the other and is limited if the stronger side does not engage its full wartime industrial
complex. These tend to be the primary mode of conflict between powers in different parts of the
world (ex: the United States and Vietnam). If the warfare occurs within an area (ex: Iran and
Iraq) or a state (civil wars), the same guerilla tactics that might be employed against a stronger
power in asymmetrical warfare are used. These types of conflicts tend to be longer, bloodier, and
more difficult to clean up after. Therefore, in dealing with post-conflict nations, the UNDP is
primarily handling states ravaged by this form of violence. vii

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Nations that are more vulnerable to this kind of devastation tend to be those with already
unstable governing bodies, low or high access to natural resources, without nuclear capabilities,
and not economically prosperous. Each of these factors, among others, contribute to a nations
likelihood to become involved in conflict and, as aforementioned, their difficulty in recovering.
The presence of an unstable government is a rather obvious reason as to why a nation might be
more vulnerable to conflict. Whether it be internally or from an outside instigator, if a state does
not have a strong central leadership, they are at risk of attack. Access to natural resources, if
unusually high, can lead to a higher chance of invasion by another nation looking to acquire
through force. Conversely, a nation without natural resources even as simple as access to large
bodies of water can be at a much higher risk of internal revolt, pressure to invade elsewhere, or
inability to deflect invasion/terrorism. Access to nuclear weaponry generally means that a nation
is not going to be attacked by an outside force and also implies a level of financial stability that
would help the internal environment to remain secure. Which leads to the last tell, economics. A
nation without economic strength has no ability to defend themselves or their citizens, meaning
not only that they are more likely to be attacked as fear of retaliation would be reduced, but the
effects in the aftermath of conflict would be more difficult to mitigate. viii
Who are the major players?
In the development of a post-conflict nation, the interests and impact of several players,
or groups thereof, must be considered. The UNDP has an obligation first and foremost to the
citizens of the nation who are facing hardships as a result of the conflict. Thus they have primary
consideration as players. However, other groups must be considered in order to create a lasting
and wanted peace. The former and/or current government must be taken into account, especially

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in terms of its embezzlement and views on foreign aid. If a corrupt government will merely
pocket or reject any supplies sent to them, then there is no reason to attempt to send support.
Further, the instigator of the conflict (rebel group, terrorist militia, neighboring country, etc.)
should be examined. Assessing what and how to send can be determined by the nature of the
conflict from which a nations has recently emerged.
The Issue dynamic:
Aid can come in the form of pure financial support, peacekeeping troops, physical
supplies such as food and water, infrastructure, advisors, or doctors, among others. But each of
these methods comes with their own risks and likelihood of effectiveness. Keep in mind when
discussing how to help develop post-conflict nations that each will need its own prescribed
solution, if one is to be found at all. Sending money is not always, if it ever is, the best solution
for helping a nation. Remember that there are many options open, including refraining from
becoming involved at all. Anti-interventionist nations will often advocate for this route of nonaction. The exact definition of intervention is contested, however it is generally accepted that
foreign powers interfering with the actions or outcome of a state is intervention. In general,
intervening, especially when not explicitly asked to do so, can be risky for both parties and illadvised. Yet there is rarely ever agreement even within a nation on the ethics of intervention,
especially when considering struggling states.
In the next section, we will discuss times in the past when tactics to aid post-conflict
nations were employed and how they turned out.

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History of the Problem

There have been far, far too many conflicts between and within nations to name all of
them, so some recent conflicts (20th century) have been given below as examples of the
development of post-conflict nations. Those that have been chosen all are currently over,
occurred in varied parts of the world, were significantly violent measured in terms of individuals
who lost their lives due to the conflict, and received international attention. These examples are
intended to provide enlightenment about the role of resources, political climate, outside
intervention, and economics on the instigation and outcome of various conflicts between interand intra-national actors.

Cambodia:
Background
Geographically, Cambodia is located to the west of Vietnam, east of Thailand, and south
of Laos. Its southern border is with the ocean. This cluster of Southeast Asian countries is
located on a peninsula to the south of China, jutting into the boundary between the Pacific and
Indian Oceans. The climate is very warm and humid, creating a tropical environment that is ideal
for growing wet crops such as rice. Historically, Cambodia has never been a strong industrial or
economic power, though in recent years they have been increasing their presence on the world
stage.
Starting with the Indochina Wars, Cambodia was engrossed in conflict including the
Vietnam Warof which it was technically not a member but felt the devastation nonetheless
and a civil war. From 1967 (the beginning of the Cambodian Civil War) for roughly the next
half-century, the country was in the throes of warfare in one form or another. The result of the
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wars left very little in terms of gains, as geographic boundaries did not change. The only major
effects were the destruction of farmland and local lives. Due to the heavy use of chemical
weapons such as Agent Orange by the US in Vietnam, Cambodias environment and agricultural
lands suffered in terms of their ability to produce viable crops. This caused only a heavier burden
to be resolved economically post-conflict. ix
Resolution and Aid
Relief efforts began in the early 1990s, including a large number of NGOs that moved
into the area to provide aid. Yet redevelopment was slow-moving and difficult. Since the conflict
had lasted for so long and involved so many neighbors, the entire area was essentially cleared out
of capable and competent individuals. This meant that restructuring was made even harder as
professionals were lacking in many fields. As it would be both impractical and in poor order for
the long-run stability of the nation to import talent, training was necessary. This provides a
further point for education as a primary means of development. Despite this, the majority of
NGOs that offered aid to the area did so through financial means by offering microloans and
other forms of monetary aid. The economy did recover, with a speed and strength that surprised
all those speculating or involved.x

Ethiopia:
Background
The current boundaries of Ethiopia and Eritrea place Eritrea on the coast of the Red Sea
(across from the Arabian peninsula) with Ethiopia slightly inland and bordering it. Djibouti and
Somalia also separate Ethiopia from the water. These counties are along the northeast of Sub-

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Saharan Africa. Ethiopia has a strong military history, especially concerning fighting off outside
western forces.
Ethiopia and Eritrea were in contest over disputed territory from 1964 to 1991. The
conflict arose over arbitrarily assigned boundaries, which European nations had created during
the partitioning of Africa during the imperialist era. When the colonial nations left, Ethiopia
annexed Eritrea and the latter battled for independence. Ethiopia, as stated, has no access to the
ocean and wanted Eritrea for their ports. The resulting conflict lasted for several bloody decades.
xi

Resolution and Aid

Eventually, Eritrea regained their autonomy and the land that they currently occupy,
cutting off Ethiopia from the sea. During the time of the conflict, famine broke out widespread
through the area due to a severe drought. Between the famine and the violence, organizations
such as Amnesty International paid particular attention to the states. The Human Rights World
Report also featured the results of the conflict. Yet very little was done in terms of aiding the
citizens of either country.

El Salvador:
Background
El Salvador is located in Central America, bordering Guatemala and Honduras. Its
southern half is coastal to the Pacific Ocean. The total land area of El Salvador is quite small, so
much of the fighting that took place in the civil war centered around land claims.

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The Salvadoran Civil War waged for two decades, starting in the 1970s over the death of
religious leaders and land disputes. The insurgents used the typical tactics of the weaker, lessestablished side in an asymmetrical war: guerilla strategies, local recruitment, and disorganized
point strikes. In the end, the rebels emerged victorious, overthrowing the current government and
establishing a new regime under a new political party.
Resolution and Aid
When four female citizens of the United States were raped and murdered, the
international community decided it was time to intervene. Under Reagan, the US provided aid to
the standing government, claiming they were friends in the polarizing climate of the Cold War.
Unsurprisingly, the USSR and China were supporting the rebels. The UN sent a mission to
determine the level of human rights abuses that were occurring in the nation, and found that the
US-backed paramilitary for the government was committing a substantial majority of the
crimes.xii

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Historical Role of the UNDP

Within the UN, only one committee has a significant amount of power: the Security
Council. Made up of ten rotating members as well as the big five, the Security Council can
appoint judges, vote to add new members, elect the Secretary General, and decide matters of
international security. The type of issues that the UNDP addresses are not those that are easily or
quickly solved. They tend to require the involvement of a variety of nations, non-governmental
organizations, political groups, etc. Therefore, the UNDP has less direct power than the Security
Council, which is typically seen as the representative committee of the UN. This is important to
remember when discussing the history of UNDP involvement, as it might seem rather limited in
comparison. However, this does not necessarily mean that the UNDP gave a weak effort in
aiding an area. Even with the fullest extent of its resources, the UNDP can only provide so much
support to a post-conflict nation.
In terms of the scope of the UNDPs power, it is constrained both by general limitations
on the UN and by what it can specifically do as a targeted committee. As a branch of the UN, it
must follow the rules that all other parts must also abide by. Further, as a committee with a
specific subset of issues to address, it is limited even within the UN to dealing with problems
associated with development.xiii
The former, constriction of the UN as a whole, dates back to the founding of the UN. For
instance, the UN is only allowed peacekeeping troops, and even those must be essentially
donated by member countries. The UN also tends to be restricted to matters of the public sector.
This means that if the UNDP is attempting to combat a problem in a developing nation and finds
that child labor abuses are prevalent because post-industrialized nations are exporting their
production, there is little that the UNDP can do. While they might attempt to pressure the nations

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that house those companies or engage the economic motives of that firm, they have no power to
control that company. It is not within the rights of the UN as a whole to interfere with the
operations of most private businesses. If severe and direct abuses are prevalent and clear, then
the UN can pressure for interference. However, for the most part large industrial firms stay away
from such blatant illegal activity.xiv
The latter, limitations of the committee specifically, comes down to which issues the
UNDP was founded to tackle. As should be obvious, it is not within the bounds of the UNDP to
engage in matters pertaining to preserving historical artifacts from private collections or trade
relations between Eurozone members. And while the UNDP might become involved in issues of
womens rights or education, it does so for different motives and often with different ends in
mind that other branches which are dedicated to those issues. This means that the UNDP must
cooperate with other branches of the UN in order to have a substantial effect.
With all of these restrictions, it seems doubtful that the UNDP could have any impact at
all. Yet the committee still has the ability to do its job and protect peoples of developing nations.
This is where diplomacy becomes extremely important. Keep in mind that you, the member
nations of the UNDP, are the primary powers. Your ability to cooperate and coalesce to target
individual goals is what leads to the ability to act. You can pledge an encouragement of
increased trade in the future with a post-conflict nations that are struggling to get their economies
running smoothly again. You can give financial and material aid to survivors. You can
diplomatically recognize a nation born of conflict, allowing them to take a stand on the world
stage. Furthermore, the UNDP can use the assistance of NGOs, charities, peacekeeping troops,
and other committees in order to reach their goals. Thus, although the restrictions are substantial,
impacts can be made.

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This is evidenced by the historical role of the UNDP in aiding post-conflict nations. As
stated in the previous section, there are countless examples of such situations. The UNDP was
not involved in all of them, or even close to all of them for that matter. But there have been
successful instances of UNDP involvement in the past, particularly in Central America.

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Current Events
Economic climate:
In the current day, very few countries can claim that they are economically stable or
prosperous. This means that few of the post-industrialized nations will donate to external causes
such as aid to post-conflict nations. Countries will more than likely prioritize their own interest
and economies. This also means that foreign investments into struggling nations are lower than
might be ideal, since most counties are focused on building up domestic industries. xv
Social climate:
The rise of social media in the past decade has contributed significantly to the prevalence
of awareness and activism for social welfare in other areas. The internet has allowed individuals
of almost any nationality to communicate, and technological advances in transportation has
allowed citizens of one country to travel faster and easier to foreign nations. Although neither of
these are entirely recent phenomena, their increase and adaptations in the modern world have
made the people of the world more and more connected. Doing so raises involvement of
civilians, which can in turn pressure government to take action.
This leads into the recently revived global trend of occupy and civil liberties protests.
In areas such as Ferguson, Hong Kong, Mexico, Palestine, and Ukraine, heavy amounts of
protesting are underway in order to incite social and political change. Due to the nature of social
media, these causes have inspired other cities to stand in solidarity with many of the protesters in
other regions. For instance, many protesters in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston have been
gathering for Ferguson, and many of the protesters there have been holding signs for Mexico and
Hong Kong, or vice versa. This means that many governments are facing a populous that is more

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aware and active about the civil liberty infringements that other governments of other nations are
enacting. If governments respond to this type of display, they might be more incentivized to
intervene. xvi
At-risk nations:
At the moment, Ukraine is technically not a post-conflict nation. They are at risk for
being in a much more serious conflict in the very near future, but at the moment the people living
there do not require assistance in terms of improving living conditions, upholding basic rights to
access to food and water, and the like. Mexico is another at-risk nation (ignoring the drug war,
which would qualify Mexico as in conflict). Although there is no official conflict at the
moment, the disappearance of so many students could spark a full revolt.
Nations in conflict:
Despite the fact that these nations are not post-conflict in that their struggle has not
ended, they are still in need of aid. The Israel/Palestine area is in great need of aid, although the
conflict is far from over. However, the political issues surrounding the area are extremely
complicated and intervention is difficult. Also in the area, the ongoing Iraqi insurgency of ISIL
has created a large amount of displacement and violence. The conflict there has only just begun,
but the damage created is enough that intervention has been seriously considered by many
nations.
Recovering nations:
Syria, although their civil war is not technically over, has seen a significant reduction in
fighting and subsequently in fatalities. Thus it could be (contestably) said that they are moving
into a phase of post-conflict. Either way, it is clear that soon they will require a huge effort to
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rebuild, as the structural damage alone to the country has been massive. Many countries in subSaharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia are recovering from internal or close-range
conflicts. In the Middle East, nations such as Afghanistan are recovering from US involvement.
xvii

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Bloc Positions
Europe
Dominant nation type:
Interventionist nations. Most post-conflict nations are in the far east of Europe.
View on intervention:
European nations tend to be the most likely to advocate for intervention even when vital
national interests are not at risk/there is not a significant economic benefit to the intervening
nation. European nations tend to be very open to intervention into their own state, often with a
populous that asks for aid.

Asia
Dominant nation type:
Isolationist. Many post-conflict nations.
View on intervention:
Post-conflict nations tend to occur particularly in the far south of Asia. The postindustrial nations of East Asia rarely ever intervene and those that might require aid are rarely
welcoming of intervention.

Africa
Dominant nation type:
Mostly post-conflict nations.
View on intervention:

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Nations in sub-Saharan Africa almost never intervene in countries outside their own bloc.
Views on receiving intervention tend to vary widely between individual states, political groups,
and demographics.

Middle East
Dominant nation type:
Many post-conflict nations.
View on intervention:
Nations in the Middle East almost never intervene in countries outside their own bloc.
Views on receiving intervention tend to be tricky in that nations are welcoming of aid for
themselves allies but denounce it for their enemies. In general, economic and material aid is
much more valued than military interventionist aid, which is highly discouraged.

North America
Dominant nation type:
No post-conflict nations.
View on intervention:
Canada and the US are significantly more interventionist than Mexico. However, North
America in general tends to be very interventionist, particularly when vital national interests are
involved. North America does not tend to get involved as often if human rights are being
threatened but not any economic stakes.

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South America
Dominant nation type:
More post-conflict nations, mostly in Central and the northern parts of South America.
View on intervention:
Latin American countries rarely ever intervene. Those that might benefit from aid are
generally wary of outside forces due to the history of the US meddling in South and Central
American affairs. Also because of this, other nations besides the US do not tend to intervene in
the area.

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Helpful References
Focus Questions
1. Is intervention ever ethically justified?
2. What type of aid can different countries commit?
3. What type of aid should different post-conflict nations be provided?
4. How will aid, if given, be distributed equitably?
5. What infrastructure must be set up in order to provide aid?
6. What systems can be manufactured to ensure that stability lasts?
7. Which NGOs or other branches of the UN should be involved?
8. Who is in the most need of aid?

Resources to Use
CIA World Factbook
undp.org
globalissues.org
postconflictdev.org

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Introduction to Topic 2
Access to and Sustainable Use of Water
Explanation and background:
Water is arguably the most valuable commodity available on Earth. There is no life-form
yet known to science that can survive without it. We drink it, cook with it, use it to grow crops,
bathe in it, travel on it, create art with it, use it to manufacture goods, clean our material
possessions with it, swim in it, use it to raise livestock, defecate in it, and even mine with it. We
require clean water for many of these purposes and frivolously use it for many of the others.
Thus it is of vital interest to all peoples of the Earth and their countries governments to ensure
that they each have access to water the clean water we have is used sustainably. However, it
should be clear to any observant individual that humanity is not so adept at sharing with others or
with the future. Thus the problem of water usage is created.
Water is primarily only useful to humans if it is clean. The applications of water for
which dirtier forms can be used are generally non-vital to sustaining life. The distinction is an
important one in understanding issues of sustainability. Although water is not a limited resource
in that it can be recycled and reused through the natural biospheric water cycle, it is not easily
renewable either. For the purpose of this committee, it is necessary to keep in mind that drinking
water is of higher standards than agricultural water and is not nearly so plentiful as salt water.xviii
Proposed direction:
Delegates should keep in mind the importance of international and intergenerational
cooperation in finding long-term solutions to water problems. Keep in mind that, while
protecting water for the sake of conservation is a noble goal, engaging national interests is a

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stronger argument. While sustaining clean water in general is a good investment for any country
in terms of ensuring future access, there are also a number of issues concerning inability to
provide. It is in these situations that collaboration is most critical.

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About Access to Water and Sustainable Use

Problems faced:
Water is a necessity and clean water is a limited resource, yet we do not seem to treat it at
such. Unlike oil, which we carefully monitor, fight multinational wars over, and are willing to
pay hefty amounts to own, water flows freely from the taps in most countries. Water utilities tend
to be rather inexpensive, comparable to other resource we use. Furthermore, households tend to
account for a small percentage of total water use in a country. Many industries pay a cheaper
price than even households for their water due to subsidization of industries, such as agriculture.
This encourages wasteful use of water because companies are less inclined to reduce their
consumption due to reduced economic motives to buy less water, which generally exist in the
form of high prices.xix
In addition to the social dismissive attitude towards water conservation, there is an issue
of unequal distribution. Water resources are generally not equitably accessible for a variety of
reasons, primarily geographic location, environmental health, and the buying power of an
individual country. Addressing the last, buying power becomes important for countries to be able
to purchase access to clean water through technology, water transportation, construction of
reservoirs, etc. The environmental health of a region is also important in that it keeps fresh water
clean. For instance, if a reservoir is built only to be polluted, that stored water is now useless.
Additionally, groundwater resources are very easy to pollute and extremely difficult to clean up.
Geography has a simple impact on access to water in that if there is a river, natural aqueduct, or
large lake in a country, that state has access to water without intervention. Although coastal
nations have access to water for transportation purposes, since it is not fresh water and therefore

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cannot be used for drinking, this is not a significant source of clean water unless that nation has
desalination technology.xx
Desalination technology is, however, expensive and quite hard to come by. Coastal
countries with low access to fresh water are more likely to invest in such technology, but for the
most part it is more economically efficient (though less environmentally stable) to import water
instead. This means that for the most part, humanity is constrained to what fresh water it has.
Water must still be processed, though, in order to remove particulate matter, lead, and toxin.
Different countries have different standards for the cleanliness of their water. This means that the
health of individuals in that area could be negatively affected and trade of clean water between
countries or their citizens is made more difficult. Since cleaning water is expensive, standards
tend to be lower in poorer countries. Then the issue of environmental injustices arises, as the less
wealthy have a greater risk of health hazards due to poor water quality.
Why is this happening?
If water is so important, it seems baffling then that humans should treat it so flippantly.
This is where the issue of the commons enters the field. A commons is a resource that is nonexcludable and rivalrous, such as the atmosphere, the oceans, and outer space. The resource is
non-excludable in that no one person can own all of the atmosphere and prevent everyone else
from using it, nor should they. It is rivalrous in that one persons consumption of land, no matter
how small, reduces the amount of land that other individuals can use. To clarify, a non-rivalrous
resource would be one such as the broadcasts of a radio station; I can listen to the radio broadcast
whether or not someone else is, too. But I cannot drink water that someone else is drinking. Thus
commons resources are those which are available to all, but can be used finitely.

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This leads to a phenomenon known as the tragedy of the commons. A tragedy of the
commons refers to a situation in which a commons resource is overused because no one takes
responsibility for it. For example, take the simplified situation of fish in a lake. Everyone who
lives in the area and relies on fish for food will want to gather as many as they can. However,
this can very quickly lead to an issue of overfishing. If all of the fish die out, then no one can fish
them and everyone is at a loss. But no individual fisherman wants to reduce his consumption and
therefore have less food for his family. Therefore the fish in the lake are depleted due to a lack of
individual responsibility for the welfare of the common resource.xxi
Besides commons problems, the poor use of water resources can also lead to depletion.
For instance, there is absolutely no reason to use clean water to flush toilets or water lawns that
serve aesthetic purposes. Greywaterwater that has been used for mild, nontoxic purposes
priorcan be safely used to flush toilets. Reimplementation of the slightly dirtied water reduces
total clean water consumption. Inefficient uses as well as blatant waste of water leads to a greater
challenge of water distribution. xxii
The Issue dynamic:
Other environmental issues like pollution and climate change are only making the
problem of sustainability of water worse. Polluted water, as aforementioned, is useless in the
pool of useable water. Thus keeping trash, toxins, and other harmful substances out of fresh
water sources is vital to ensuring a greater total amount of water resources. Further, climate
change is deteriorating the amount of usable water that humans can access. Particularly due to
global warming and the mass melting of polar ice caps, those fresh water storage sites are
eliminated as ice-melt is salinated when it mixes into the ocean. It is a global issue and it requires

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global cooperation: all corporations, nations and generations are at risk and thus all must
contribute to change.

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History of the Problem

The Environmentalism Movement:
The growth of the environmentalism movement over the past few decades has
contributed significantly to awareness of issues of access to and sustainable use of water.
Although conservationism has been around for centuriesif not millennia, depending on how
the term is definedthe modern environmentalism movement that truly took off around the
1960s has been a stronger influence on the prevalence of advocacy for issues involving water.
There have been some deniers throughout history that have claimed that humanity is not
contributing to any climate issues. However, it has become increasingly clear and well-supported
through decades-long research studies on the loss of commons goods like clean water. In
combination with equality movements which advocate for reduced wealth, gender, and race gaps
in society, the problems contributing to difficulties obtaining and sustaining water have reduced
on net during the last few decades in particular. xxiii
Integrated Water Resource Management:
A relatively recent, though not entirely new idea, Integrated Water Resource
Management (IWRM) is a framework for sustainable water use that has been adjusted to more
modern societal structures. IWRM takes a more holistic stance on the issue of water conservation
looking at demographics, gender dichotomies, wealth, infrastructure, politics, and education of
an area as part of the process to providing water sustainably. Furthermore, IWRM emphasises
the fact that it is important to pay attention to not just how much water is being used but also the
level of cleanliness the water possesses.

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IWRM relies on the principles of economic efficiency, equity, environmental

sustainability. The method takes into account that people will be far more willing to enact water
policies that are economically beneficial, or at the very least as efficient as possible. Also it
recognizes that some areas have a greater amount of access to water, but just providing that
water to a region does not mean that it will be distributed fairly. Women and ostracized groups,
as well as those with lower buying power, are less likely to be able to gain access to water. Nor
does it mean that future water use practices will be sustainable. For this reason, IWRM holds the
strengthening of all three of these principles as paramount goals.
The basic plan of IWRM uses management instruments of assessment, information, and
allocation instruments to gather data about decisions, considering that some dilemmas might be
faced when setting up water resources. In some instances, there is no perfect answer. It then
becomes a matter of picking the least harmful. In these positions, having a wealth of information
is important. Once the knowledge on how to best go about solving the problem is determined,
IWRM supports enabling environmentalism through policy and legislation in order to make
action. This approach is far from universally applicable, as in some cases there is no centralized
power with enough of a network to enact any significant change. Moreover, if that power is
undemocratic it might unilaterally reject any efforts toward reform. Thus, despite that this
approach is the least likely to incite resistance, it is also rather low-impact in many areas. Even
when dealing with post-industrialized democracies, the weight and lag of bureaucracy can
prevent any legislative action from coming to fruition. xxiv
If an IWRM plan is successful in passing policies that can help promote access to and the
sustainable use of water, the issue then becomes ensuring that the change will last. IWRM
pushes for establishing institutional frameworks through local and national, public and private
organizations. By engaging heavily with domestic ties, this can be a strong way to create a more
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lasting impact. Yet it is also not guaranteed. There needs to be some form of incentive to
encourage the local institutions to continue the mission once UN involvement has been retracted.

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Historical Role of the UNDP

Action taken by the UNDP:
As it would be repetitive to list ad nauseum all that the UNDP has done, the programs
highlighted below were picked as examples of what the UNDP can do. They are all currently
running missions and thus are the most updated versions of past action.

[The following summaries are based on information at undp.org; visit the site for more
information on any of the programs mentioned below, as well as others that the UNDP has
begun.]
Transboundary Waters Program
This program was founded in order to deal with waters that might technically fall into the
claim of several nations, are accessed by multiple nations, and/or provide resources to multiple
nations. It prevents disputes and armed conflicts over bodies of water, as it allows for a medium
of discussion about claims to water resources. It also helps nations that have stakes in various
water sources in their efforts to prioritize their needs for the water, form conservation missions,
research the water content, and create transnational policies. xxv

Water Governance Facility in Stockholm International Water Institute

The official duties of the center are as follows: developing and supporting
implementation of projects and programs, designing new tools and methodologies for addressing
and working with water governance related issues, enhancing knowledge on water governance
issues through publications and capacity building training programs, and contributing to
international monitoring and assessment processes. xxvi

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Network for Capacity Building

Capacity building through networking (referred to as Cap-net) showcases the ability to
involve corporations, state collaboratives, educational institutions, etc. in development causes.
Cap-net focuses on training individuals to help build capacity in their local areas. This is a more
long-terms solution, as it encourages domestic participation.

Mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender Equality

In general, women and racially segmented groups tend to have less access to water in
developing countries. Wealth equality, human rights support, and education are strong tools to
combat these issues. The UNDP is engaged in supporting these movements in areas that are more
pressed for access to clean water. UN Women, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the UNEP, among
others, are collaborating to help reduce these imbalances. xxvii

Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have very limited land and even less fresh water.
Due to the small economies, populations, and resources that SIDS tend to have, taking advantage
of emerging technologies or trade is not always an option. Thus the UNDP works in partnership
with the UNEP in many of these countries to help SIDS make better use of what clean water they
do have. Efforts to increase water monitoring and reduce pollution have been widespread and
thus far successful.

Promoting IWRM in Central Asia

As explained in the previous section, IWRM focuses on strategy and data-gathering in
dealing with more complex issues of water management. The UNDP helps governments in

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Central Asia to invest in water accessibility for their citizens and encourages diplomatic relations
between nations in the region. The program promotes cooperation among states and among local
districts in order to build better water systems. It also focuses on making preventative measures
to ensure a continued access to water in the future in light of sustainability and climate change
problems. xxviii

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Current Events
Economic climate:
In the current day, very few countries can claim that they are economically stable or
prosperous. This means that few of the post-industrialized nations will donate to water
accessibility technologies in struggling nations. Countries will more than likely prioritize their
own interest and economies. This also means that nations tend to look toward the short term, not
multi-generationally. Governments might falsely assume that just because they have water at the
moment, it does not mean that they are guaranteed that in the future. xxix
Social climate:
Luckily for the global climate, environmentalism and activism have become popularized
mainstream. Social media and increased awareness have both significantly contributed to this
trend. However, empirically knowing and acting are distinctly separate. Particularly in postindustrialized nations, it is important to increase the knowledge that each individual must
actively do their part in conservation in order to make our global usage of water more
sustainable. Access to the internet and all the resources therein could increase the younger
generations global awareness. At the very least, it is a step in the right direction to remember
that no individual is completely disconnected from citizens of other countries. Increasing
personal responsibility in this way can help reduce commons problems associated with water
use. xxx
Recent technological developments:
Technological advancements have significantly increased the availability of clean water
to peoples around the world. Some designs focus on harvesting clean water from graywater
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and/or saltwater, while others work to make the most of what we have. Keep in mind that new
technologies have to be both feasible to createif it creates more pollution to create a device
than it cleans up, then the design is uselessand inexpensive enough either to produce or to buy
that they can be used by those who need them.
Desalination techniques
Desalination refers to the removal of salt and brine from ocean waters in order to
artificially create fresh water. It mostly relies on technology that mimics how the process plays
out in the natural world: evaporating the water and leaving the larger particles behind. The
evaporated water is collected as clean water. Although this method hypothetically recycles water
so that the oceans are usable water sources, the devices are extremely expensive and difficult
to build.
Hydroponic farming
Hydroponic farming does not create new usable water but rather reduces the amount of
fresh water that is used for agriculture. Overwatering and nitrate runoff are large problems when
growing food traditionally in soil. Hydroponic farming eliminated the need for guesswork and
soil altogether. It also allows produce to be grown in more contained environments, taking out
the need for pesticides.
Bacterial treatment filtration
Filtration is the cleaning of used fresh water so that it might be reused later. Sludge is
moved to the bottom and left behind, large particles are filtered out, and then bacteria is
introduced. The microscopic organism eat up toxins and leave the water cleaner. The water that
moved into the treatment plant can then be moved out to be used elsewhere.
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Lifestraws
These are water purifying filters that are predominantly distributed to low-income areas
in Africa. They are small, easy to transport, and produced relatively inexpensively. Although
they are not a large-scale solution, these small filters can provide clean water for individuals and
communities alike.xxxi

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Bloc Positions
Europe
Clean water accessibility:
High
Sustainability:
Very good and with a high potential for growth. Particularly in the north of Europe, many
measures are being taken both in government and in community activism to increase the
sustainability in the use of water. Since infrastructure for transporting water, access to
technology that cleans water (even as basic as tap filters in a majority of domestic settings), and
economic stability are all relatively high, Europe has a strong potential for even greater
sustainability practices being implemented in the future. Especially in Mediterranean-bordering
countries such as Greece, it would be highly beneficial for Eurozone countries to spread
sustainable practices in interstate trade and/or scientific discourse.

Asia
Clean water accessibility:
Moderate
Sustainability:
Very poor. Although there is a wealth of access to natural water resource throughout
Asia, as much of the south and southeast of Asia is tropical with an abundance of rivers and
wetlands, the use of these water resources is very unsustainable. Many bodies of water are being
heavily polluted, dammed, overfished, and drained for agricultural uses. China in particular has a
poor history with water conservation, polluting the waters within its borders and around its

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territory at alarming rates. Furthermore, the northern areas of Asia do not have nearly the access
to water that the rest of the continent does.

Sub-Saharan Africa
Clean water accessibility:
Extremely low
Sustainability:
Good by necessity. There is a very limited amount of natural water resources throughout
the majority of the continent. Global warming and unsustainable agricultural practices have only
made this situation more dire. Thus what water consumption that does go on in the region is
typically much lower in quantity and tends to be more focused on the reuse or recycling of water
where possible. There is a lack of infrastructure of feasibility to import clean water.

Middle East
Clean water accessibility:
Low
Sustainability:
Very good by necessity, but highly varied between states. The wealthier states such as the
United Arab Emirates have a disproportionate of desalination technologies that allow them to
utilize the ocean water. Less wealthy countries that are more inland, such as Afghanistan, do not
have such access to clean water.

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North America
Clean water accessibility:
High
Sustainability:
Very poor, comparatively to the potential for sustainable practices. North America has
the scientific knowledge and the economic buying power to evoke more sustainability in water
usage than is currently the norm.

South America
Clean water accessibility:
Moderate
Sustainability:
Poor. Practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture, water diversion, and lax regulations on
water pollution have caused problems for the sustainability of water access in South America.

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Helpful References
Focus Questions
1. What are some strategies for spreading the word about sustainable water use?
2. Will infrastructure need to be built before water is distributed?
3. What can be done to improve access to clean water for women?
4. How will wealth inequality play into water accessibility?
5. How does education play a role in issues of water access?
6. How can water conservation be encouraged?
7. Is there a dilemma between economics and sustainability?
8. What other organization and branches of the UN should be involved?

Resources to Use
CIA World Factbook
undp.org
globalissues.org
unwater.org

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i

UNDP. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1988. Web.

<http://www.jposc.org/documents/UNDP%20for%20Beginners/UNDP_for_Beginners_e
n.pdf>.
ii
"A World of Development Experience." Overview. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/about_us.html>.
iii
"United Nations World Summit for Children." Foreign Policy Bulletin 1.03 (1990): 70. Web.
iv
UNDP. Capacity Development in Post!Conflict Countries. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.undp.org%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Faplaws%2Fpublication%2Fe

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

n%2Fpublications%2Fcapacity-development%2Fcapacity-development-in-post-conflictcountries%2F>.
v
"Sustainable Development in Post-conflict Countries .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge
Platform." Sustainable Development in Post-conflict Countries .:. Sustainable
Development Knowledge Platform. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1206>.
vi
Ibid.
vii
UNDP. Capacity Development in Post!Conflict Countries. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.undp.org%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Faplaws%2Fpublication%2Fe
n%2Fpublications%2Fcapacity-development%2Fcapacity-development-in-post-conflictcountries%2F>.
viii
"Sustainable Development in Post-conflict Countries .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge
Platform." Sustainable Development in Post-conflict Countries .:. Sustainable
Development Knowledge Platform. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1206>.
ix
AID Effectiveness in Post-Conflict Countries. N.p.: U of Trento, 2011. Web.
<http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/conferences/2002-UPaGiSSA/papers/Hoeffler-csae2002.pdf>.
x
Microfinance Following Conflict, Brief No. 2. Miciofinance Concepts Developing a PostConflict Microfinance Industry: The (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
<http://www.gdrc.org/icm/disasters/Developing.pdf>.
xi
"Conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea." - Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.globalissues.org/article/89/conflict-between-ethiopia-and-eritrea>.
xii
"El Salvador." CJA : Background on. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.cja.org/article.php?list=type&type=199>.
xiii
UNDP. Capacity Development in Post!Conflict Countries. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.undp.org%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Faplaws%2Fpublication%2Fe
n%2Fpublications%2Fcapacity-development%2Fcapacity-development-in-post-conflictcountries%2F>.
xiv
AID Effectiveness in Post-Conflict Countries. N.p.: U of Trento, 2011. Web.
<http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/conferences/2002-UPaGiSSA/papers/Hoeffler-csae2002.pdf>.
xv
"Inner Turmoil." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 08 Nov. 2013. Web.
<http://www.economist.com/content/inner-turmoil>.
xvi
"Previous World Reports | Human Rights Watch." Previous World Reports | Human Rights
Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.hrw.org/node/79288>.
xvii
"Promoting Democratic Governance and Preventing the Recurrence of Conflict: The Role of
the United Nations Development Programme in Post-Conflict Peace-Building."
Cambridge Journals Online. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=122855&fi
leId=S0022216X02006508%5C>.
xviii
"Sustainable, Development, United Nations, Rio+20, Decade, Water for Life, 2015, UNWater, United Nations, MDG, Water, Sanitation, Financing, Gender, IWRM, Human Right,
Transboundary, Cities, Quality, Food Security." United Nations News Center. United
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nations, n.d. Web.

<http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_and_sustainable_development.shtml>.
xix

Ibid.
Ecological Applications. Ecological Society of America WATER IN CRISIS: PATHS TO
SUSTAINABLE WATER USE (1998.): n. pag. Web.
<http://www.udc.gal/snl/documentospdf/Water_crisis.pdf>.
xxi
Ibid.
xxii
Ibid.
xxiii
"Statistics." UN-Water:. United Nations, n.d. Web. <http://www.unwater.org/statistics/en/>.
xxiv
"Integrated Water Resources Management." Integrated Water Resources Management. United
Nations Development Programme, n.d. Web.
<http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/environmentandenergy/focus_area
s/water_and_ocean_governance/integrated-water-resources-management/>.
xxv
"Decade, Water for Life, 2015, UN-Water, United Nations, MDG, Water, Sanitation,
Financing, Gender, IWRM, Human Right, Transboundary, Cities, Quality, Food
Security." United Nations News Center. United Nations, n.d. Web.
<http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/iwrm.shtml>.
xxvi
Ibid.
xxvii
Ibid.
xxviii
Ibid.
xxix
"Sustainable, Development, United Nations, Rio+20, Decade, Water for Life, 2015, UNWater, United Nations, MDG, Water, Sanitation, Financing, Gender, IWRM, Human
Right, Transboundary, Cities, Quality, Food Security." United Nations News Center.
United Nations, n.d. Web.
<http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_and_sustainable_development.shtml>.
xxx
Ibid.
xxxi
"Decade, Water for Life, 2015, UN-Water, United Nations, MDG, Water, Sanitation,
Financing, Gender, IWRM, Human Right, Transboundary, Cities, Quality, Food
Security." United Nations News Center. United Nations, n.d. Web.
<http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/iwrm.shtml>.
xx

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