Bridging the communication gap in river management

Finding new approaches for bridging the communication gap between communities within river basins to improve decision making for sustainable development, has become very urgent in these days of water resources pressures. A new and evolving communication service called the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS), combined with knowledge services on the Internet, Hydroinformatics, training and learning, collaborative decision making and conflict resolution, offers the opportunity for communities to bridge this gap, and furthermore to develop a harmonious relationship with their rivers and the natural resources upon which they depend. As a consequence the development process of the communities within river basins would be more equitable and sustainable.