Books explore alternatives to the delivery of public services
The IDRC-funded Municipal Services Project launched two books in March 2012 exploring alternatives to the privatization of basic public services. Both books are available for free online.
 Remunicipalisation: Putting Water Back into Public Hands explores a growing trend that stems largely from the failure of privatized municipal water services. The high social costs of privatization, including unequal access for the poor and environmental hazards, are prompting municipalities to act to guarantee this essential service. Case studies analyze the transition from private to public water provision in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Paris, France; and Hamilton, Canada. It also looks at a national-level experiment in Malaysia. These examples illustrate the benefits and challenges of municipal ownership, and provide lessons for future action.
Alternatives to Privatisation: Public Options for Essential Services in the Global South explores the widespread movement for better public services across the developing world. In the first global survey of its kind, the book looks at public service provision in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the electricity, health, water, and sanitation sectors. It draws on evidence from more than 40 countries in examining what does and does not work well as an alternative to privatization.
The Municipal Services Project is a global network of academics, NGOs, unions, and activists. Led by researchers at Queen’s University in Canada and the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, members explore alternatives to the privatization and commercialization of service provision in electricity, health, water, and sanitation.
These books will be launched in Ottawa.
When: Wednesday, May 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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