FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat is the purpose of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015? What are the central themes for ‘Water for Life’ Decade? Who is responsible for organizing the ‘Water for Life’ Decade? How did the ‘Water for Life’ Decade come about? When does the ‘Water for Life’ Decade officially commence? What is the link between World Water Day 2005 and the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015? What special events are organized for the launch of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade? What activities are planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade? How do the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relate to the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015? Why is Gender a key issue in the ‘Water for Life’ theme? Who can participate in activities for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade? Where do I find educational materials on the Water for Life theme? How can I make a financial contribution/donation to the Decade? How can I stay up-to-date with activities planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?
What is World Water Day?World Water Day (WWD) occurs each year on March 22nd. The day provides an opportunity to promote public awareness and the dissemination of information relating to the conservation and management of water resources and implementation of the recommendations of Agenda 21. In 2005, World Water Day coincided with the launch of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015. What is the purpose of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005-2015?The primary goal of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by 2015 – a decade of action. Relevant commitments include the Millennium Development targets to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. The goal for all countries to stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources and to develop integrated water resource management and water efficiency plans by 2005 agreed at the Johannesburg Summit is also an important focus of the Decade. A special emphasis will be placed on ensuring the involvement of women in these development efforts. Achieving the goals of this International Decade will require sustained commitment, cooperation and investment. What are the central themes for ‘Water for Life’ Decade?Central water related themes include: food, health, environment, disaster prevention, energy, transboundary water issues, scarcity, culture, sanitation, pollution and agriculture. Who is responsible for organizing the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?UN-Water is coordinating the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015. UN-Water is the United Nations system-wide inter-agency gathering of all relevant agencies, departments and programmes involved with water-related issues. The chairmanship of UN-Water rotates and is currently held by the World Health Organization (WHO), while the Secretariat for UN-Water is based at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). Within UNDESA, the Water, Natural Resources and Small Island Developing States Branch in the Division for Sustainable Development will be responsible for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade. UN-Water was set up under the United Nations System Chief Executives Board (CEB). CEB took steps, through its High-Level Committee on Programmes, to establish or strengthen inter-agency collaborative arrangements in the key areas of freshwater, water and sanitation, energy, oceans and coastal areas, and consumption and production patterns. Among other specific actions taken, UN-Water is the inter-agency mechanism for the implementation of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation water-related provisions and the Millennium Development Goals concerning freshwater. The terms of reference and modalities of work of UN-Water cover the elements of a detailed inter-agency plan for addressing water as well as sanitation issues, and include mechanisms for interacting with non-United Nations system stakeholders. Currently, the chairmanship of UN-Water is with WHO and the Secretariat with DESA. (Please see: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/inter_agency/inter_agency.htm) Who are the UN-Water members?The members of UN-Water are: How did the ‘Water for Life’ Decade come about?During its 58th annual session, the United Nations General Assembly, in resolution A/RES/58/217 proclaimed the period from 2005 to 2015 the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, to commence on World Water Day, 22 March 2005. This will be the second international decade on water-related issues organized by the United Nations, succeeding the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, 1981 - 1990. When does the ‘Water for Life’ Decade officially commence?World Water Day, 22 March 2005, marked the official commencement of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade. What is the link between World Water Day 2005 and the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015?Common to both WWD 2005 and the Water Decade is the ‘Water for Life’ theme. WWD 2005 marked the launch of ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015. What special events were organized for the launch of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?The launch of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’, 2005 – 2015 was commemorated on 22 March 2005 with the presentation of a video message by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at UN Headquarters. Click here to hear his message. What activities are planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?Keep up to date with activities planned throughout the Decade by visiting the Calendar of Events. At the national level, it is expected that each country will take its own approach to organize activities around the ‘Water for Life’ Decade. All activities that promote public awareness of issues related to the ‘Water for Life’ theme are encouraged, including the organization of conferences, seminars, expositions and other such public events. The ‘Water for Life’ Decade Logo can be used by local organizers after signing a Waiver of Liability. Click here for more information on using the ‘Water for Life’ Decade Logo. How do the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relate to the ‘Water for Life’ Decade, 2005-2015?The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), agreed to at the Millennium Summit in 2000, set specific targets for reducing poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and empowering women by 2015. Regarding water and sanitation, the relevant targets of the MDGs are to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015, the year that marks the end of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade. The Millennium Declaration also calls on nations to stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources. In response, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (2002) called on nations to prepare integrated water resource management and water efficiency plans by 2005. These plans can be used as a framework for the Decade. As the MDGs are inherently interdependent, improved access to freshwater and sanitation will help to achieve the Millennium targets for health, gender equality (by empowering women) and the overarching goal of poverty reduction. The fundamental goal of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade is to achieve these internationally-agreed development goals concerning water by 2015 – a decade of action. Why is Gender a key issue in the ‘Water for Life’ theme?In most societies women have primary responsibility for water supply, sanitation and health at the household level. This central role of women is often neglected in efforts to improve water resource management schemes and sanitation facilities. Furthermore, women suffer the largest burden when water and sanitation resources are inadequate. The activities of the ‘Water for Life’ Decade will include a gender perspective, and will promote the full participation and equal involvement of women in water-related development efforts. Read UN-Water's Policy Brief on Gender, Water and Sanitation here Who can participate in activities for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?Participation is welcomed from all organizations and individuals, worldwide. It is expected that most countries will nominate a focal point (individual or committee) to whom enquiries can be directed at the national level. Events planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade should strive to create public awareness of the issues related to the ‘Water for Life’ theme. Enquiries should be addressed to the Secretariat of UN-Water (unwater@un.org). How do I get the logo?Visit the Logo section of www.un.org/waterforlifedecade for more details and guidelines on how to use the ‘Water for Life’ Decade Logo. Authorization must be requested before using the ‘Water for Life’ Decade Logo. Where do I find educational materials on the Water for Life theme? Visit the Cyberschoolbus website and the Education Corner of the www.wateryear2003.org website for educational resources relating to water in different languages, age groups, themes and topics including kits, games, worksheets, books etc. How can I make a financial contribution/donation to the Decade?Contact unwater@un.org for information on how to contribute through supporting specific activities of the Decade. How can I stay up-to-date with activities planned for the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?Bookmark this website! www.un.org/waterforlifedecade |
Photo credits: UNICEF (Giacomo Pirozzi. Rwanda, Zambia/Jonathan Shadid, Burkina Faso),
UNEP (Hlaing Thntint/Ritter/Jinda Uthaipanumas/Mazansky/Pablo Alfredo de Luca), UN Photo