Navigating wicked problems The formation process of an emerging Multi Stakeholder Platform for water management in Ethiopia MSc Thesis Law and Governance (LAW-80433) Date: August 2016 Name: Jip van Scherpenzeel Student no.: 920228-736-050 Navigating wicked problems 2 Navigating wicked problems The formation process of an emerging Multi Stakeholder Platform for water management in Ethiopia Date: August 2016 University: Wageningen University and Research Centre Master: International Development Studies Specialization: Communication, Technology and Policy Subject: MSc Thesis Research Supervisor: Sietze Vellema (Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group) Second assessor: Dik Roth (Law and Governance Group) 3 Abstract Due to current challenges such as climate change, migration and economic development, pressure on available water resources is increasing. A stakeholder platform is a way of addressing the complexity of water resource management. However at this point in time little empirical information is available on the dynamics of the formation phase of a stakeholder platform and how these dynamics can be understood. Therefore this paper will focus on the formation process of an emerging Multi Stakeholder Platforms (MSP) in Ethiopia. Two important dynamics that come together in the formation process of this MSP are i) the power and politics that are present between the stakeholders and ii) perceptions of uncertainty and risk of the water related challenges. The power cube of Gaventa (2006) and the Cultural Theory of Douglas (1987) are used to analyse these dynamics. The overall aim of this thesis is to give insight in the dynamics of a starting stakeholder platform within the context of Ethiopia in order to get a better understanding of how space for engagement is created. The research findings suggest that within the formation process, space for engagement is created in which already existing power dynamics come immediately on board. Also different perspectives are present, which creates tension in finding the best solution. As way of conclusion, cooperating and navigating through the wicked problems that relate to water is a non-linear messy process in which stakeholders seek a way to address the many challenges they are facing. Keywords: integrated watershed management, multi-stakeholder platform, power dynamics, uncertainty, risk, cultural theory, Ethiopia 4 List of Acronyms AwBA Awash Basin Authority EPA Harar Environmental Protection Authority Harar GTP Growth and Transformation Plan HPRS Harari People Regional State HWSSA Harar Town Water Supply and Sewerage Authority MSP Multi-Stakeholder Platform MoU Memorandum of Understanding NGO Non-governmental organization OEHZ Oromia Eastern Hararghe Zone SWSH Sustainble Water Services for Harar VEI Vitens Evides International 5 Acknowledgements This thesis could not have been accomplished without the help of my supervisor Sietze Vellema. His enthusiasm and knowledge on multi-stakeholder processes guided me in understanding the processes that I have witnessed. Due to his feedback and support, I was able to stay focused and work towards finalizing this thesis. Also I would like to express my gratitude towards the staff of VEI in Ethiopia. They gave me the opportunity and space to gather data while doing my internship. Because of them I was able to witness and analyze a very interesting process that I normally would not have access to. I also want to extent my gratitude towards the members of the stakeholder platform who welcomed me with open arms and took the time to answer my questions. Finally I would like to thank my family and friends. Without their encouraging words and continued positivity during my stay in Ethiopia, but also in the Netherlands, I would not have been able to finish this thesis. Thank you all. 6 Content Navigating wicked problems ................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 4 List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 6 List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................................................ 9 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Problem statement & Research questions .................................................................................. 10 1.3 Outline ......................................................................................................................................... 13 2. Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................................... 14 2.1 Integrated watershed management and social networks .......................................................... 14 2.2 Two analytical dimensions .......................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Politics and power ....................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Uncertainty, Ambiguity and Risk ................................................................................................. 18 2.5 Concluding remarks ..................................................................................................................... 22 3. Research methodology ...................................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Case study of the formation process ........................................................................................... 24 3.2 Research Strategy & Design ........................................................................................................ 25 3.3 Data collection ............................................................................................................................. 27 3.3.1 Literature review .................................................................................................................. 27 3.3.2 Minutes of meetings and conversations .............................................................................. 27 3.3.3 Qualitative interviews .......................................................................................................... 27 3.3.4 Participatory observation ..................................................................................................... 28 3.3.5 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.6 Limitation of the research .................................................................................................... 29 4. Context of the platform ..................................................................................................................... 30 4.1 Water challenges ......................................................................................................................... 30 4.2 A federal government system ..................................................................................................... 31 4.3 Taking into account the context .................................................................................................. 32 5. Creating partnering space ................................................................................................................. 33 5.1 The platform as a tool ................................................................................................................. 33 5.2 Selection process of stakeholders ............................................................................................... 35 5.3 Deciding to engage ...................................................................................................................... 37 5.4 Concluding remarks ..................................................................................................................... 39 7 6. Making use of partnering space ....................................................................................................... 41 6.1 Setting the terms of participation ............................................................................................... 41 6.2 Navigating uncertainty ................................................................................................................ 43 6.3 Concluding remarks ..................................................................................................................... 46 7. A two-way analysis ............................................................................................................................ 48 7.1 A powerful space ......................................................................................................................... 48 7.1.1 Space .................................................................................................................................... 48 7.1.2 Forms ...................................................................................................................................