Senior Fellow Dave Archambault II presents at the IWA World Water Congress

FPEIP’s Senior Fellow Dave Archambault II spoke at the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition on September 16, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. 

At a workshop focused on the sustainable use of water by industry, Archambault shared his perspective on water. In his words:

“To us, water is not a resource for development or consumption. Water is a source of life. I was taught that if you look out and see movement, then you say taku skan skan, which means there is something there. If it moves, then it has a nagi, which means life force or spirit. If it has a nagi, then we say mitakuyasin, which means my relative. We are related to it. And if we are related to it, then we treat it with respect just like you would treat your own mother or your own child. Can you imagine if every developer in the water industry thought in this manner? Our ancestors understood sustainable water use because they treated water with respect and like a relative.”

Archambault was joined on the panel by Rianna Gonzalez (Water and Sewage Authority, Trinidad and Tobago), Maddie Momba (Tishwane University of Technology, South Africa), and moderated by Cheryl Davis (CKD Consulting). 

About the IWA

The International Water Association is committed to facing today’s water challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. IWA members and staff are located in 130 countries, making it the largest international network of water professionals in the world.