Transferring the UK experience of raising water awareness to the Saudi situation: perceptions of Saudi students in the UK

Abstract

This paper presents the perceptions of 20 Saudi students in the UK investigating how to transfer experiences from the UK into the Saudi situation through a focus-group methodology. This method was made with such a focus group to get the general perceptions of Saudis students who have lived in the UK. The research concluded that the UK water companies present a useful model that will encourage the Saudi public to see themselves as stakeholders in addition to being consumers. There are significant barriers regarding the level of public participation required by these UK models. A cultural change is required to make the Saudi public see water conservation as their responsibility. Moreover, the concept of children educating adults in a mildly humorous way may not be transferrable to Saudi society. HIGHLIGHTS UK models of raising water awareness may encourage the Saudi public to see themselves as stakeholders in addition to being consumers.; There are barriers regarding the level of public participation required by UK models.; A cultural change is required to make the Saudi public see water conservation as their responsibility.; The concept of children educating adults in a mildly humorous way may not be transferable to Saudi society.;

Keywords

• cultural change
• saudi arabia
• unsustainable human activity
• water awareness
• water resources