Water for Life Decade
Encyclopedia
THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR ACTION ‘WATER FOR LIFE’, 2005-2015
The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’. Its primary goal is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water–related issues in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
In order to help to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit of Sustainable Development (WSSD) the Decade focuses on water-related issues at all levels and on the implementation of programmes and projects, and the furtherance of cooperation at all levels.
During the first UN Decade on Water
from 1981–1990, it is estimated that more than a billion people gained access to safe drinking water. http://www.ghanaian-chronicle.com/thestory.asp?id=8110
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.
These commitments include the Millennium Development Goals
to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water
by 2015 and to stop unsustainable exploitation of water resources. At the World Summit
in Johannesburg in 2002, two other goals were adopted: to aim to develop integrated water resource management and water efficiency plans by 2005 and to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation.
World Water Day, 22 March 2005, marked the official commencement of the ‘Water for Life
’ Decade.
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 chairmanship of UN-Water rotates and is currently held by the United Nations University
(UNU), 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.
For more info on interagency coordination, please see http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/inter_agency/inter_agency.htm
Two initiatives have been launched by UN-Water to support the 'Water for Life' Decade:
The UN-Water Decade Programme for Capacity Development (UNW-DPC). Hosted by the United Nations University in Bonn, Germany, the UNW-DPC strengthens the coherence and effectiveness of capacity development activities in the framework of the Decade.
The United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015 (UNO-IDfA) / UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC). Located in Zaragoza, Spain, and led by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNO-IDfA/UNW-DPAC facilitates information, implements communication and raises awareness in the framework of the Decade.
The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’. Its primary goal is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water–related issues in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
More about 'Water for Life' Decade
The Water Decade focuses on encouraging countries to build on the efforts made to date to protect, use and manage freshwater resources in a sustainable manner as the water challenge is a governance challenge.In order to help to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit of Sustainable Development (WSSD) the Decade focuses on water-related issues at all levels and on the implementation of programmes and projects, and the furtherance of cooperation at all levels.
During the first UN Decade on Water
International Drinking Water Decade, 1981-1990
The International Drinking Water Decade or International Decade of Water or International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, now known as The First Water Decade was the ten year period 1981 - 1990 designated by the United Nations to bring attention and support for clean water and...
from 1981–1990, it is estimated that more than a billion people gained access to safe drinking water. http://www.ghanaian-chronicle.com/thestory.asp?id=8110
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.
These commitments include the Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
by 2015 and to stop unsustainable exploitation of water resources. At the World Summit
WSSD
WSSD is a radio station broadcasting a blues music format. Licensed to Chicago, Illinois, USA, the station is currently owned by Lakeside Telecommunications, Inc....
in Johannesburg in 2002, two other goals were adopted: to aim to develop integrated water resource management and water efficiency plans by 2005 and to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation.
World Water Day, 22 March 2005, marked the official commencement of the ‘Water for Life
Water for Life
"Water for Life" was a concert given by French electronic musician Jean Michel Jarre on the night of December 16, 2006 amidst the dunes of the Sahara desert at Merzouga, Morocco...
’ Decade.
Themes of 'Water for Life’ Decade
Central water related themes include: food, health, environment, disaster prevention, energy, transboundary water issues, scarcity, culture, sanitation, pollution and agriculture. As women play a central role in water provision and management, a special emphasis will be placed on ensuring the participation and involvement of women in these development efforts.Activities planned for the Decade
An up to date Calendar of Events has the latest on the activities planned throughout the Decade.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.
Who is responsible for organizing the ‘Water for Life’ Decade?
UN-Water is coordinating the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ , 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.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.The chairmanship of UN-Water rotates and is currently held by the United Nations University
United Nations University
The United Nations University is an academic arm of the United Nations established in 1973, which serves purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The UNU undertakes research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of...
(UNU), 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.
For more info on interagency coordination, please see http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/inter_agency/inter_agency.htm
Two initiatives have been launched by UN-Water to support the 'Water for Life' Decade:
The UN-Water Decade Programme for Capacity Development (UNW-DPC). Hosted by the United Nations University in Bonn, Germany, the UNW-DPC strengthens the coherence and effectiveness of capacity development activities in the framework of the Decade.
The United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015 (UNO-IDfA) / UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC). Located in Zaragoza, Spain, and led by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNO-IDfA/UNW-DPAC facilitates information, implements communication and raises awareness in the framework of the Decade.
Participation in the 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 contact Water DecadeExternal links
- United Nations: International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015
- http://www.unesco.org/water/water_celebrations/decades/index.shtml
- UN Water
- United Nations
- UNW-DPAC