World Water Day is on the 22nd March, declared by United Nations as an international day with the aim of raising global awareness of this issue
“Leaving No One Behind” is the slogan chosen this year by United Nations.
The aim is to raise awareness of the reasons why 2.1 billion people still don’t have safely managed drinking water services.
United Nations reminds us that water is a human right and that today, billions of people continue to live with no access to safe water in their homes, schools, workplaces, farms and factories, fighting to survive and prosper. Marginalized groups – women, children, refugees, indigenous people, disabled people and many others – are often disregarded and face discrimination when they try to access and manage the drinking water they need.
Getting to know and raising awareness of the reasons why so many people are left with no access to safe water is the priority this year. Starting with discrimination, which causes certain people to be particularly disadvantaged when it comes to accessing this resource. Other factors, such as environmental degradation, climate change, population growth, conflicts, forced displacement and migratory flows can also affect in a disproportionate way.
Figures
Of the 2.1 billion people without safely managed drinking water services, 838 million do not have access to basic services.
3 out of 10 people do not have access to safe drinking water services.
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the world population and this percentage is expected to increase.
Women and girls are in charge of fetching water in 80% of the households without access to running water.
Leaving No One Behind
This year the Foundation will disseminate a deformed world map based on the access of the inhabitants of each country to basic drinking water services, which makes it possible to identify the most affected regions of the world. The goal of this action is to support the United Nations campaign “Leaving No One Behind”, which refers to the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) no. 6: “Ensuring the availability of water and its sustainable management and sanitation for all.”
The Hidden Life of Water
At the same time, the We Are Water Foundation globally drives the awareness-raising campaign THE HIDDEN LIFE OF WATER. In line with this year’s theme, the Foundation highlights the commitment to United Nations in order to attain the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and points out the importance of the water we cannot see: #thehiddenlifeofwater. Water is an essential resource for a healthy life and for creating wealth, education and development.
Round table
“Leaving No One Behind”
Date nad time: 20nd March at 7 pm
Where: Roca Barcelona Gallery
Participation: free with prior registration
Renowned experts will discuss the reasons why billions of people continue to have no access to drinking water. Its aim will be to reach conclusions on how these reasons affect the current and future situation of water. We are interested in providing data on how climate change and population growth will affect us and in finding possible solutions to counteract the global shortage of water.
Discussion topics
Global situation of water.
- Analysis of the global situation of water.
- Contribution of data and objectives to be met.
- Situation of large cities around the world (Barcelona, Bangladesh).
Reasons why there are still 2.1 billion people without safely managed drinking water services.
- Lack of infrastructure and poor management of services.
- Poverty and inequality (marginality).
- Climate change.
- Population growth.
Solutions and planning.
Speakers at the event
- Héctor Casanueva, executive vice-president of FAP ALC-UE.
- Carlos M. Gómez, PhD in Economics and advisor to the EU Directorate-General for the Environment.
- Xavier Torras, director of the We Are Water Foundation.
- Alejandro Maceira, moderator of the event. Founder and Director of iAgua.
- Martí Oliveras, geographer and Rac1 meteorologist
Street actions
Dates: from the 22nd to the 23rd March
Where: Barcelona and Madrid
Participation: open to the public
We will be at different locations in Barcelona and Madrid on the 22nd and 23rd March with the campaign The Hidden Life of Water to highlight the importance of the water we cannot see.
The locations and dates will be:
Barcelona
Hall of Cinesa La Maquinista
From the 22nd to the 23rd March
Madrid
Centro Comercial Río 2, main floor
From the 22nd to the 23rd March
The World Water Day actions organized by the We Are Water Foundation will be completed with different events and round tables in countries where the Foundation is present, such as Portugal, United Kingdom, Argentina or India, among others.
About World Water Day
Water is an essential element for the creation of life. Hydric resources are vital in sustainable development: they all play an important role in the reduction of poverty, in economic growth and environmental sustainability. Water ensures the wellbeing of the population and inclusive growth. Moreover it has a totally positive impact on people’s lives, as it is essential to ensure food and energy security, human health and the care of the environment.
World Water Day is celebrated every 22nd March with the main goal of raising global awareness of the importance of drinking water in our lives and the defense of the sustainable development of hydric resources.
On the 22nd March 1992, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22nd March 1993 as the first World Water Day. A call was made to the different countries to dedicate every 22nd March to the celebration of activities that would raise public awareness of the importance of water through different events.
Each year, UN-Water, the entity that coordinates the Organization’s work on water and sanitation, sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge.
