Not to be confused with World Water Monitoring Day.
World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held
on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources. The
theme of each day focuses on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene
(WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR)
is released each year around World Water Day.
UN-Water is the
convener for World Water Day and selects the theme for each year in
consultation with UN organizations that share an interest in that year's focus. The theme for 2021 was "Valuing
Water" and the public campaign invited people to join a global
conversation on social media to "tell us your stories, thoughts and
feelings about water".
In 2020, the theme was
"Water and Climate Change". Previous
themes for the years 2016 to 2019 were "Water and Jobs'", "Why
waste water?" "Nature for Water", and "Leaving no one
behind". World Water Day is
celebrated around the world with a variety of events. These can be theatrical,
musical or lobbying in nature. The day can also include campaigns to raise
money for water projects. The first World Water Day, designated by the United
Nations, was in 1993.
Objectives and
structure
World Water Day is an international
observance day. The intention is to inspire people around the world to learn
more about water-related issues and to take action to make a difference. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there
was an additional focus on hand washing and hygiene.
Relevant issues include
water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation,
and the impacts of climate change (which is the theme of World Water Day 2020).
The day brings to light the inequality of access to WASH services and the need
to assure the human right to water and sanitation.
The World Water Day
website announces events, activities and volunteer opportunities. In 2020,
featured stories are about adapting to the water effects climate change and
using water more efficiently.
Convener
UN-Water coordinates
activities with UN member organisations who share an interest in that year's
theme. UN-Water mobilizes organizations
of all kinds to action, whether globally or locally.
Examples of activities
Non-governmental
organizations active in the WASH sector, such as UNICEF, WaterAid and Water and
Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), use the day to raise public awareness,
get media attention for water issues and inspire action. Activities have included releasing
publications and films, as well as organizing round tables, seminars and
expositions.
End Water Poverty, a
global civil society coalition with 250 partner organizations, sponsors Water
Action Month each year and offers an event-planning guidebook.
The UN World Water
Development Report (WWDR) is released each year on World Water Day. Information
related to the annual theme gives decision-makers tools to implement
sustainable use of water resources.
More and more
initiatives in schools and universities are educating people about the
importance of conserving and managing water resources. For example, Michigan State University held a
contest for "best World Water Day poster" in 2017. Primary school
children in the Philippines participated in a "My School Toilet"
contest in 2010.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Water_Day
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