This task no doubt requires us to reset our own goals in support of those among us, including women and children that on a daily basis are denied access to clean water and sanitation.
We in the Caribbean region are a bit more fortunate than our brothers and sisters in other regions of the world such as in Eastern Africa and Central Asia, where many lose their lives from diseases related to unsafe water or inadequate sanitation.
Our challenge instead stems from linkages with the growing problem of climate change and the dilemma of high levels of water loss due to excessive runoff and limited storage capacity. But this should not make us complacent in our drive towards ensuring that the global agenda gives water its rightful place in development.
As countries around the world continue negotiations for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the coming months, we therefore encourage our own Caribbean governments to support the establishment of a dedicated water goal as part of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda and contribute to a solution to this crisis.
There are many threats to water pollution - our pattern of development that is concentrated along our coasts and hillsides causing contamination of waterways, pesticide run-off and groundwater contamination - all call for national programmes that build awareness of the importance and contribution of water to our well-being. These initiatives could be alleviated through the introduction of newer and better technologies that aim to reduce the threats to water availability in some of our local villages and ensure social and economic progress. GWP-C agrees that it has an important role to play in that regard.
With our many Partners around the Caribbean region, we wish to maintain for ourselves that recognition as the go-to entity for water. As we observe World Water Day 2015 we at the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean lend our support to encourage the adoption of the goal to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” Download our World Water Day Message here.
GWP-C World Water Day Video: In Support of a Dedicated Water Goal
This is a crucial time for country leaders and governments in the Caribbean and around the world to express the importance of water to their country’s economic and social development and their support for a dedicated #watergoal. GWP-C’s video for World Water Day looks at why we need a water goal and features what some Caribbean leaders have to say about the importance of water and working towards a water secure Caribbean. Watch the video.
GWP-C Media Awards on Water 2015 – Video Competition
GWP-C launched its Media Awards on Water 2015 on March 9th which for the first time is a video competition and is open to ALL Caribbean nationals. This year’s competition seeks to raise awareness on the importance of a dedicated #watergoal in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be finalised this year and to commemorate World Water Day on March 22nd.
Over US$1800 in cash prizes is up for grabs! All you have to do is produce a two-minute video based on one of the competition’s themes and the video MUST begin with the hashtag #watergoal. The deadline date for submissions is April 19th, 2015. Get all the details here. Or go to our Facebook page to find out more here.