| Issue 29. 14 March 2014 | www.un.org/waterforlifedecade |
| This week in focus | Editor’s note
Welcome to the Decade’s Weekly! Every week it brings you the latest news from the International Decade for Action ’Water for Life’ 2005-2015. Please feel free to forward this newsletter. You can also access this newsletter online. Tip of the week
The ’Water for Life’ UN-Water Best Practices Award recognizes those practices which are contributing to the achievement of international commitments made on water and water-related issues on the ground. These practices can serve as an example and a source of inspiration for others. Stay connected! Winners will be announced on the 21st March. >> More information on the Award >> Connect to the Award Facebook page |
| #WorldWaterDay World Water Day 2014 lives up to its name, as the World takes action!
Date: 20 to 22 March 2014 It’s almost here! 20 - 22 March 2014 is just around the corner and inspirational responses across the globe have demonstrated the importance of this year’s focus on ’Water and Energy.’ What are we dealing with here? The UN has predicted that by 2030 we will need 35% more food, 40% more water and 50% more energy, with a growing global population that currently includes 768 million people without access to improved water sources. What are we doing about it? The official UN World Water Day event will include dialogues, speeches, workshops and presentations dedicated to the issues of water and energy. It will also see the release of the World Water Development Report, which is currently emargoed but available to the media on request, a sneak peak is also available. What can I do? World Water Day is open to everybody! So far it has received an enormously positive response from people eager to share the message, the events registered include picnics, a zoo exhibition, public talks, lectures, debates, films, sport events, concerts... If YOU would like to get involved, register your event NOW. There are many ways to get involved, campaign materials provide everything you need to promote an event, download the banners or countdown clock for your website or talk about it, start the debate! >> Visit the World Water Day Website for all the information you need! >> View the winners of the ’Water and Energy’ photo competition |
| In the news | Forthcoming events |
|
#WaterEducation
Free online course offers supported learning on Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre has launched a series of online courses on water and sanitation. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) series has been created in collaboration with the Swiss University EPFL. The first installment ’Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS)’ begins 7 April 2014 and will run for 5 weeks. The course, which requires only 6-8 hours per week, will start by looking at the global burden of disease from unsafe drinking water; water contamination - microbial, chemical, physical aspects of water quality; how does drinking water become unsafe?; what is HWTS?; how does HWTS fit in with MDGs and whatever will follow them? In the following weeks, these aspects will be explored more deeply through treatment options, implementation strategies and assessing the impact of HWTS. The course is free of charge and simply requires an internet connection and an interest in drinking water quality. Sign up today! From the Decades Programmes
#Internship
Get to know the United Nations with a UN-Water Internship!
The UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC) is offering the unique opportunity to contribute to its projects through an Internship Programme. The Internship Programme allows students and post-graduates from diverse academic backgrounds to gain an insight into the ’Water for Life’ Decade and the work, strategy and procedures of the UNW-DPAC whilst gaining invaluable experience of the UN system, as well as further developing specialized skills. There are four seasonal placements available (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn). If you are interested in the United Nations work then there is no better place to start. Not only will you gain an understanding of a specific department and its procedures, your experience could be the first step towards your chosen career, check your eligibility and apply today! Latest videos
#WaterforLifeAward
UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC), March 2014
The ’Las Piñas-Zapote River System Rehabilitation Program’ in The Philippines, won the category 1 ’Best water management practices’ 1st edition of ’Water for Life’ UN-Water Best Practices Award. This video introduces the initiative which, implemented by the Villar Foundation, has succeeded in bringing Las Piñas-Zapote River and its tributaries back to life, allowing wealth generation from waste that once polluted the river and creating work and housing for a population that used to live in shacks. |
#Post2015
Targeting water in the post-2015 development agenda
Date: 14 March 2014
This briefing has provided the opportunity to discuss and express how water issues shall be addressed within the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals and targets. The UN-Water paper "A Post-20 15 Global Goal for Water: Synthesis of key findings and recommendations from UN-Water"
Date: 19-21 March 2014
This workshop will discuss the implementation of the joint project ’Strengthening capacity of policymakers in South East Asia to promote policies and developing plans for improved wastewater treatment and reuse in urban and peri-urban areas’ initiated by UNESCAP and UN-Habitat. The project, which will take place in LAO PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam, will address the fast growing problem of untreated wastewater through promotion of Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) and focus on building capacity of policy makers and planners for better wastewater management.
Date: 20 March 2014
As part of the OECD Integrity Week 17-21 March 2014, this event will discuss the challenges and best practices in promoting integrity in water services and water resource management across OECD and non-OECD countries. The event will support the activities of the Working Group on ’Integrity and Transparency’ of the OECD Water Governance Initiative by initiating the following objectives: launching the Water Chapter of the OECD CleanGovBiz Toolkit for Integrity |
