7. Conclusion:

"…the effective management of water resources demands a holistic approach linking social and economic development with protection of natural ecosystems….Second, water development and management should be based on a participatory approach involving users, planners, and policy makers at all levels. Third, [both] women [and men] play a vital part in providing, managing, and safeguarding water…. Integrated water resources management is based on the perception of water as an integral part of the ecosystem, a natural resource and social and economic good." (The World Bank, p. 24, 1993)
This must be true for water resources management in general. Rainwater harvesting fulfills these requisites already in a big part. The global cooperation between scientists and practitioners involved in rainwater harvesting takes place all the time. The biannual International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference (Fig.18), organized by the International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, provide a most needed forum for a continuing exchange of ideas. By learning from failures and success as well as exchanging experiences, a high degree of sustainability might be reached. The importance of rainwater harvesting in the past in some regions of the world, will be brought back to a new life in these regions and will expand to new areas, where a growing population is putting on pressure to find solutions for water scarcity.