A job for heroes with a license to pray

James Bond, the world cinema's most famous spy is back, and this time he fights a villain trying to control strategic water resources in a developing country. How far-fetched is that story premise?

"Control over water translates more and more into profit and power," said Maike Gorsboth, the coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network, an initiative of churches and Christian organizations working on communitybased solutions to the water crisis. Gorsboth had this to say about the world water crisis.

"Already today we are witnessing struggles over the control of water supply and resources. With water scarcity increasing and demand for water rising steadily in many countries around the world, control over water translates into profit and power. Companies are buying water rights and land in order to secure their access to water resources. Often they do not care much about the rights of communities or environmental consequences.

"So the idea of the movie is not as far-fetched as one might wish. However, one of the problems is that while corruption does play a major role in the water sector, what is happening is often not illegal."

Q: Why is "water for all" an issue for churches?

Without adequate access to water, human dignity is harmed and development impossible. And those who suffer most from missing and unequal access to clean water are the poorest. This is about political, social and economic factors determining who gets water and who does not. That makes it an ethical concern, a matter of justice.

Q: James Bond tackles the problem gun in hand. What actions do churches take?

Churches around the world are raising awareness and are educating people about what is happening, warning of the danger of privatizing the very source of life. They speak up for the most vulnerable and help them to defend their right to water against more powerful interests.

For more information on the Ecumenical Water Network, go to www.water.oikoumene.org.

This story is provided by Worldwide Faith News.