For immediate release: January 30, 2009

For the first time, education is a main theme of the World Water Forum, and Project WET is leading the way.

Media Contact:  Stephanie Kaleva

Bozeman, Mont, 30 Jan., 2009 – On March 16, Project WET will join more than 20,000 participants for a week-long dialogue on Bridging Divides for Water at the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. And, for the first time, the forum has made education a theme, joining five other priority topics.

As a result of its contributions to past World Water Forums, coupled with its global work and influence, Project WET was chosen to lead the forum’s education activities.

Held every three years, the World Water Forum is the world’s preeminent water event. Organized by the World Water Council, in collaboration with the host country, the forum aims to: 

• keep water at the top of the international agenda. 
• facilitate collaboration on water problems. 

The forum brings together the water community, as well as policy- and decision-makers to: 

• create links. 
• debate and attempt to share solutions and best practices. 
• achieve water security. 

“With a mission of reaching the world with water education, Project WET’s work in 42 countries on five continents has prepared it for this tremendous opportunity,” said Project WET President and CEO Dennis Nelson.

Project WET will convene several activities at the forum, including the Global Water Education Village™, which debuted at the 4th World Water Forum. The village’s purpose is to:

• highlight water education’s role and impact in communities around the world. 
• connect local solutions with the resolution of global water challenges. 

More than 35 organizations will participate in the village.

In addition, Project WET’s Water School will hold classes alongside the village. Here, Turkish teachers and students will participate in popular Project WET activities while providing participants an opportunity to witness education’s effectiveness in addressing water issues and empowering individuals to play a role in solving these issues.

Last, Project WET will convene the only special session that directly addresses education for school and children: “Building Bridges to the Future through Education about Water.”

A moderated panel will answer the question, “How can children and teachers be empowered to make a difference in their local water situations through their actions?”

Over 19,000 participated in the Global Water Education Village in 2006, and Project WET anticipates more than 25,000 will participate in 2009.

The Global Water Education Village and other related children’s activities are sponsored by Nestlé Waters and the Foundation of River, Environment and Watershed Management (FOREM), as well as Project WET Japan.

www.worldwaterforum5.org.

About Project WET

Since 1984, Project WET, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to the mission of reaching children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water education.  Project WET achieves its mission of worldwide water education by:

• publishing water resource materials in several languages.
  
• providing training workshops on diverse water topics (i.e., watersheds, water quality, water conservation).
  
• organizing community water events, such as Make a Splash with Project WET water festivals and the Global Water Education Village™.
  
• building a worldwide network of educators, water resource professionals and scientists.

On the web at www.projectwet.org.