World Water Day is the UN's annual anniversary (always on March 22) highlighting the importance of fresh water. Today is used to advocate for sustainable freshwater resource management. World Water Day is celebrated around the world with various events. This could be educational, theatrical, musical or lobby in nature. That day may also include campaigns to raise money for water projects. The first World Water Day, set by the United Nations, was commemorated in 1993. Every year more and more countries celebrate World Water Day.
UN-Water chooses a theme for each year. The theme for 2018 is "Nature for Water" to encourage people to "seek answers in nature". This theme encourages the use of natural-based solutions for water-related challenges. For example, reducing floods, droughts, water pollution and protecting ecosystems can be solved using natural means, which nature uses, not man-made approaches.
Previous themes for 2015 to 2017 are "Water and Sustainable Development", "Water and Work", and "Why waste water?" The latter theme includes attention to waste water and the value of reclaimed water. Focus on universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in line with the target of Sustainable Development Objective 6.
The UN World Water Development Report is released annually around World Water Day.
Video World Water Day
Destination
World Water Day is a day of international celebration. The goal is to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues and take action to make a difference.
The global water crisis is one of the issues that demand action. Challenges include water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply and lack of sanitation for billions of people in less developed countries. The day revealed the inequalities of access to WASH services and the need to ensure human rights to water and sanitation.
Maps World Water Day
Convener
UN-Water coordinates activities with UN member organizations that share interests with the theme of the year. In 2016 the theme "Water and Works" resulted in collaboration with the International Labor Organization. UN-Water mobilizes all types of organizations to act, both globally and locally.
World Water Day website announces volunteer events, activities, and opportunities. In 2018, the story of "Nature and water from around the world" corresponds to the theme "Nature for water".
Example activity
Organizations active in the WASH sector use the day to raise public awareness, get media attention to water issues and inspire action. Activities have included releasing publications and movies, as well as arranging round tables, seminars and expositions. Non-governmental organizations such as UNICEF, WaterAid and Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP).
End Water Poverty, a global civil society coalition with 250 partner organizations, sponsors Air Action Month every year and offers an event planning guide.
The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released annually on World Water Day. Information relating to the annual theme provides a decision-making tool for sustainable use of water resources.
More and more initiatives in schools and universities are educating the public about the importance of conserving and managing water resources. For example, Michigan State University held a contest for "World Water Day best posters" in 2017. Primary schoolchildren in the Philippines participated in the "Toilet Schools" contest in 2010.
Impact
By 2016, World Water Day campaigns and related publications reach millions of people through social media, specialized websites and other channels: The UN-Water annual report states that social media engagement (hashtag #WorldWaterDay) has the potential reach of a maximum of 1.6 billion people. worldwide by 2016. More than 500 events in 1000 countries are listed on the World Water Day website that year.
History
Today was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. In December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted A/RES/47/193 resolution in which March 22 of each year was declared the World Day for Water.
In 1993, the first World Water Day was observed.
Annual theme
2018 - Nature for Water
The theme in 2018 explores how nature can be used to overcome water challenges in the 21st century. This could be in the form of a natural-based solution to reduce flooding, drought and water pollution and protect ecosystems. Restoring wetlands, applying wetlands built, green roofs, green infrastructure, new forest plantings, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, are a few examples. Each uses a natural process to balance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihood.
2017 - Why Waste Water?
In 2017, the theme is "Why Waste Water?" that is about reducing and reusing waste water. The theme is a play of words related to both: aspects of waste water and wastewater issues, namely treatment and reuse. Wastewater is a valuable resource to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals No. 6. One aspect of Target 6.3 is to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and also to improve the safe recycling and water use worldwide. After proper treatment, wastewater can be used for various purposes. Industries, for example, can reuse water in cooling towers and agriculture can reuse water for irrigation.
An example of activities for 2017 is the Wikipedia edit-a-thon organized by members of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance from 19-21 March 2017. The purpose of this activity is to improve water and sanitation related content on Wikipedia just before World Water Day. The goal is to improve the quantity and quality of sanitation information available on Wikipedia for the use of teachers, journalists, and the general public.
2016 - Better Water, Better Work
The 2016 theme "Better water, better work" highlights the correlation between water and employment creation, either directly or indirectly by water sources around the world. As water scarcity becomes more obvious, highly water-dependent industries such as textiles and agriculture are at risk of increasing costs, which threaten salaries and jobs. Increased cost can then be forwarded to the consumer.
This theme also highlights how an abundance of quality water can change jobs and people's lives for the better. The 2016 celebration creates recognition for those who work to improve water quality and availability, and the need for many to move on to better jobs. Three out of four jobs around the world depend on water. Lack of water and lack of access can limit economic growth in the coming years, according to the UN World Water Development Report 2016.
2015 - Water and Sustainable Development
Under the theme 'Water and Sustainable Development', 2015 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build on the previous World Water Day to highlight the role of water in the sustainable development agenda. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been achieved by 2015, so the year itself becomes a discussion of the post-MDG period and aspirations for water and sustainable development. With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), World Water Day provides a special emphasis on SDG 6, which calls for water and sanitation for all, by encouraging discussion on how SDG 6 can be achieved by 2030.
2014 - Water and Energy
The theme of Water and Energy 2014 emphasizes the close relationship and interdependence of water and energy and brings attention to nexus water-energy. About 8% of the energy generated globally is used to pump, treat and transport water to various consumers. Furthermore, generating and emitting energy requires the use of water resources, especially for hydropower, nuclear, and heat generation.
The theme's goal of the year is to facilitate the development of cross-sectoral policies and frameworks that will bridge ministries and sectors. It is intended to lead the way toward energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy.
Journalists from eleven Asian countries met in Tokoyo from 20-21 March 2014 to discuss the importance of water. The event included a panel discussion on topics such as privatization of services, integration between water and energy and modernization of water services. The journalists also developed four shared stories and 20 individual story ideas for an Asian journalist network that writes about water (and energy) in social media.
Before 2014
In the years before 2014, the annual theme is as follows:
- 1994: Caring for Water Resources is Everyone's Business
- 1995: Women and Water
- 1996: Water for the Destroyed City
- 1997: Water World: Is it enough?
- 1998: Ground Water - Invisible Resources. The UN identifies gaps in groundwater management that have major implications for sustainable development.
- 1999: Everyone lives in the Downstream
- 2000: Water for the 21st century
- 2001: Water for Health
- 2002: Water for Development. Poor and worsening water resources in many parts of the world require the planning and management of integrated water resources.
- 2003: Water for the Future. Maintain and improve the quality and quantity of fresh water available for future generations.
- 2004: Water and Disaster. Weather, climate, and water resources can adversely affect socio-economic development and human welfare.
- 2005: Water for Life Decade 2005-2015. The United Nations General Assembly at its 58th session in December 2003 agreed to declare 2005 to 2015 the International Decade of Action, beginning with World Water Day, March 22, 2005. The Water for Life Decade phrase is also used.
- 2006: Water and Culture. This theme draws attention to the fact that there are many ways to see, use, and celebrate water because there are cultural traditions around the world.
- 2007: Overcoming Water Scarcity. Water scarcity is highlighted worldwide and the need for increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable water resource management, both at the international and local levels.
- 2008: Sanitation. The year 2008 is also the International Year of Sanitation.
- 2009: Trans Waters. Special focus is placed in cross-border waters.
- 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World. Dedicated to water quality, reflecting its importance along with the quantity of resources in water management.
- 2011: Water for the city: responding to urban challenges. The aim is to highlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing urban water management challenges.
- 2012: Water and Food Security: The World is Destroyed Because We're Hungry. On the occasion of World Water Day 2012, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called attention to water-related challenges faced by civilians caught up in intense fighting and civil unrest.
- 2013: Year of International Cooperation. In December 2010, the UN General Assembly declared 2013 the Year of International Water Cooperation of the United Nations. As a reflection of this declaration, World Water Day 2013 is dedicated to water cooperation.
See also
- Human rights to water and sanitation
- Sustainable Development Objective 6
- World Air Forum
- World Bath Day
- List of special days: List of awareness days, Lists of anniversaries
References
External links
- World Water Day - Official website
- UN-Water
- International days currently being observed by the United Nations
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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