The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.

This year’s theme is Transboundary water and the focus will be on sharing water and sharing opportunities.

Contact: www​.unwater​.org/​w​o​r​l​d​w​a​t​e​r​day

Throughout the Day there will be events going on all around the world:

International Poster Contest

This year, the theme is ‘Nature’s Voice Our Choice’. This is an internet-based competition so everyone can take part. Posters will be judged on originality, impact, and visual message. Winners will be announced on our website and contacted directly by April 22nd, 2009 ñ Earth Day.

Contact: naturesvoice​-ourchoice​.org/​i​n​d​e​x​.​p​h​p​/​2​0​0​9​-​P​o​s​t​e​r​-​C​o​n​t​e​s​t​.​h​tml

‘William Waterway’s’ WATER POETRY CONTEST

Submit your water poem for Internet publication and an international award.
Prizes will consist of a World Water Day Poetry Award certificate sent by email and a free copy of the international award-winning book — ‘Water Voices from Around The World’.

Winners will be notified via email and announced and published on the ‘Water Voices’ website by April 15, 2009

Contact: williamwaterway@​aol.​com

ClearBlue Global Water Project

Raising donations in celebration of World Water Day to fund well drilling in locations without safe drinking water: Haiti, Philippines, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, India, Kenya, Ghana, etc. Consider sponsoring a well by yourself/organisation, or contribute to the general fund towards current or upcoming projects. To date, they have 62 wells and water systems in existence.

Contact: Melanie Brooks
Website: www​.clearblueproject​.com

Global Giving’s ‘Fill The Glass’ March Campaign

Fill The Glass is a campaign to quench the thirst of thousands in need of water for drinking, bathing, and growing food. Whether it is providing clean water to Sudanese refugees and families in Gaza, building water pumps in the Philippines, or providing rain storage tanks to rural communities in Oaxaza, Mexico, there are water-related projects around the world that could benefit from public support. The campaign specifically hopes to raise funds for 10 grass-roots water projects that you can view on their website.

Contact: www​.globalgiving​.com/​w​a​t​er/

Excellent Development’s Bottled Water Study

There are over 100 brands of bottled water in the UK, at least half of those are readily available either online or at the local store. So at any one time, the average UK resident has a choice of 50 bottled waters. As well as the vast choice in brand, there is also a huge variety in price, from £59 to 7p per litre!

Excellent Development, who build sand dams for water collection in arid parts of Africa, is encouraging people to forego their bottled water for World Water Day and instead, donate the money to help supply water for life in Africa.

The Congo River. Photo: © Veronique Rigot