DISCOURSES ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIAL MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN THE NORTH OF CÓRDOBA (ARGENTINA)

Abstract

Access and distribution of water are differential on our planet. These spatial differences are associated with cultural differences that condition water use and appreciation of their social, political and economic value. These cultural differences are articulated and encourage by the construction of representations that vehicle the relationship water/society (water-culture; water-dignity; water-wealthiness; water-health, water-job). Within this framework, the intervention of prevailing groups as agents who possess the ability to regulate access and exercise control or domain of water, define uses and generate tensions within these groups and with the disadvantaged ones. These materialand symbolic tensions are expressed in contradictory and conflicting discourses. Based on these considerations, and putting in tension our own initial point of view structured around the issue of social management of water, we intend to identify tensions and conflicts between the agents involved in our experience as an interdisciplinary group convened by an NGO to "shore up" socio – territorial aspects of a technical project of water supply in two rural schools located in the north of the province of Cordoba, Argentine Republic. This task was faced by working with discourses and representations, with their performative character and with the manner in which they may be associated with the construction of territory and territorialities.