World Water Day

March 22 has been declared as World Water Day, also known as World Day for Water.  This day grew out of a 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil. The first World Water Day was observed in 1993 and has grown every year since.

The purpose of World Water Day is to promote clean and safe water activities across the world and to gain support for UN recommendations regarding water issues.  Each year, one agency of the UN is selected to lead the promotion and coordination of activities for World Water Day. 

Currently, water issues constitute an important problem across the globe.  It is estimated that one billion people currently do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.  Furthermore, the need for water is becoming a huge problem in developed and developing nations and there is the potential that conflicts could arise over access to clean water sources.

The United Nations generally takes the lead in coordinating World Water Day activities. For example, the United Nations selects the annual theme of World Water Day. The theme for 2010 is “Clean Water for a Healthy World.” The overall goal of World Water Day 2010 is to raise awareness on the political level on water quality as well as quantity.

While the United Nations sets the theme for World Water Day, a number of NGOs also participate in World Water Day as well. These countries use World Water Day to focus the public on critical water issues including clean water and sustaining aquatic habitats.

There are also many things individuals can do to observe World Water Day. For example, in Portland, Oregon, there is a walk organized to raise awareness on water issues. The proceeds of the march will go to a non-profit organization that provides clean water to communities in Africa. There are similar walks organized in San Diego and across the United States. In addition to participating in a walk or march to raise awareness to water issues, an individual could also participate in the numerous writing contests held around the United States. For example, the Pulitzer Center has teamed up with Helium in sponsoring a World Water Day essay contest. The purpose of writing contests is for individuals to provide insight to water issues and raise awareness in the general public about the serious water issues that surround us all.