The United Nation’s Annual World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year’s theme is valuing water and today sees the release of the UN World Water Development Report focusing on this and recommending policy direction to decision makers.
The 2021 campaign is generating a global, public conversation on social media about how people value water for all its uses. The aim is to create a more comprehensive understanding of how water is valued by different people in different contexts so we can safeguard this precious resource for everyone. The central narrative of the campaign is designed to encourage people to contribute their stories, thoughts and experiences on the value of water:
“Water means different things to different people. This conversation is about what water means to you. How is water important to your home and family life, your livelihood, your cultural practices, your wellbeing, your local environment? In households, schools and workplaces, water can mean health, hygiene, dignity and productivity. In cultural, religious and spiritual places, water can mean a connection with creation, community and oneself. In natural spaces, water can mean peace, harmony and preservation. Today, water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change. Tell us your stories, thoughts and feelings about water. By recording – and celebrating – all the different ways water benefits our lives, we can value water properly and safeguard it effectively for everyone.”
Collated from the #Water2Me conversations on social media, a representative selection of comments and opinions will be compiled in a document on what water means to people around the world. The document will be available on www.worldwaterday.org from 22 March 2021.
