5th World Water Forum

On March 16, Project WET joined more than 33,000 participants for a week-long dialogue on Bridging Divides for Water at the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey.

For the first time, the Forum made education a theme, where it joined five other priority topics.  

As a result of its contributions to past World Water Forums, coupled with its global work and influence, Project WET led the forum’s children and school 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.

Four Main Education Components are Part of the Forum

The Global Water Education Village™ highlighted water education’s role and impact in communities around the world as well as connected local solutions with the resolution of global water challenges. More than 20 organizations participated in the Village.

The Children’s Water School was a fun, interactive setting where children participated in hands-on activities to learn the importance of water resources. Here, Turkish teachers and students took part in popular Project WET activities while providing participants with an opportunity to witness education’s effectiveness in addressing water issues and empowering individuals to play a role in solving these issues.

A Special Session on School and Children – Building Bridges to the Future through Education about Water was an interactive discussion involving a panel and attendees on topics including:

• What are the latest educational materials that build a sense of responsibility and create excitement?
• How can we empower people, specifically children and teachers, to make a difference for water through their actions?

The 3rd Children’s World Water Forum gathered children from communities around the world to present their local action projects, which have a positive impact on water in their community. The best five local action projects were selected by the children for presentation to the ministerial conference at the World Water Forum.