| Issue 41. 27 June 2014 | www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/decade_weekly.shtml |
| 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
Do you want to know about the latest UN publications on water and sanitation? Follow the UN Documentation Centre on Water and Sanitation (UNDCWS) on Twitter! >> UN Documentation Centre on Water and Sanitation >> Follow UNDCWS on Twitter |
| #CooperativesDay International Day of Cooperatives focuses on "Cooperative enterprises achieve sustainable development for all"
Date: 5 July 2014 In its resolution 47/90 of 16 December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Cooperatives to be celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July. The aim is to increase awareness on cooperatives; highlight the complementarity of the goals and objectives of the United Nations and the international cooperative movement; underscore the contribution of the movement to the resolution of the major problems addressed by the United Nations; and strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors, including governments at local, national and international levels. Cooperatives have a significant impact on people's lives. These associations and enterprises allow citizens to effectively improve their lives while contributing to the economic, social, cultural and political advancement of their community and nation. Rio+20 recognized cooperatives for their role in sustainable development in the context of the environmental crisis. This year, International Day of Cooperatives will acknowledge the role of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development for all. Water and Sanitation are at the core of sustainable development as they are closely linked to a number of key global challenges so don't forget these on your activities to commemorate the International Day of Cooperatives! |
| In the news | Forthcoming events |
| #RightToWater Widespread water shut-offs in US city of Detroit prompt outcry from UN rights experts
Disconnecting water from people who cannot pay their bills is an affront to their human rights, a group of United Nations experts said on 25 June, amid reports of widespread water shut-offs in the United States city of Detroit for non-payment. "Disconnection of water services because of failure to pay due to lack of means constitutes a violation of the human right to water and other international human rights," the experts stated in a news release. Dryland Champions is a new programme from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) designed to recognize activities by individuals and/or organizations and business "that make a practical contribution to sustainable land management practices". The initiative focuses first and foremost on people, their commitments and endeavours for improving the livelihoods of populations and the conditions of ecosystems affected by desertification and drought. Based on contents extracted from UN World Water Development Report 5, this infographic presents the challenges of meeting the water and energy needs for people and societies in the context of sustainable development. The UN World Water Development Report 4 (WWDR4) "Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk" is now available in Chinese. This has been realized thanks to the generous support of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese National Committee for the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and China Water Power Press. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Water Council (WWC) have agreed to intensify their collaboration in a bid to strengthen global water and food security. Long-time partners, the two organizations will expand their joint work on a number of fronts, including: knowledge and technology development to enhance water productivity; the education of water management professionals and building human capital development in the water sector; and promoting sound water policymaking and better cooperation within the water and irrigated agriculture sectors. Documents from the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO, which took place from 18-20 June 2014 in Paris, France, are now available online. As part of the Gender, Water & Development Conference, which takes place from 7-11 July 2014 in South Africa, Digital Storytellers are sought to share their stories on gender, water and development from around the globe. Use your professional camera, cellphone or mobile device to help understand how water and gender equality affect your community. Tell us how women are using water to make a difference to the lives of their families and the challenges they still face. Competition deadline is 1 July 2014. |
#WaterConvention 20th meeting of the Bureau of the Water Convention
Date: 27 June 2014 In view of the entry into force on 6 February 2013 of the amendments to the Water Convention, the Bureau of the Water Convention will discuss how to ensure ratification of the amendments by all Parties and start discussions on the 7th session of the Meeting of the Parties, planned for 17-20 November 2015 in Hungary.
Date: 30 June - 4 July 2014 The World Climate Research Programme, sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, facilitates analysis and predictions of Earth's system variability and changes for use in an increasing range of practical applications. This event will discuss the implementation of Grand Challenges on water availability, cryosphere in a changing climate, climate extremes, etc. The meeting will also discuss core projects and working groups activities.
Date: 3 July 2014 This workshop will support the establishment of link-ups between the reporting mechanism under the Protocol on Water and Health and other existing regional and global monitoring programmes; discuss possible ways to link target setting and reporting under the Protocol with existing national monitoring and information systems; and inform about proposed post-2015 development goals and indicators on water and sanitation and discuss the possible ways to integrate these into the national target setting process. From the Decade’s Programmes
#Gender&Water Gender, Water & Development Conference
Date: 7-11 July 2014 This conference will bring together a wide range of people from inside and outside the water sector to engage, debate and find solutions to the gender, poverty and water challenges in Africa, and through this to assist AMCOW, African countries and other developing nations to address these. The UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC) participates in the Conference. |
