Every year, the 22nd of March marks World Water Day, a day for reflection and to spur action to tackle the global water crisis. The 2024 edition follows the theme ‘Leveraging water for peace’ and offers an array of possibilities to participate in this celebration, both online and offline. From sports activities to high-level panels, and from cultural events to academic symposia, online and on-site. As World Water Day taskforce member, IGRAC is involved on several events.
About Water for Peace theme
The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. We must act upon the realisation that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life. This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
Join the online movement
Be part of the global campaign on ‘Water for Peace’. We need everyone – from individuals and families to companies and governments – to do what they can to cooperate on water and pave the way for a more harmonious society. Download resources to get involved this World Water Day and find out more about the connection between water and peace.
Football activations
For those who are in London or Washington DC, there is no need to wait until Friday to celebrate World Water Day. On Thursday 21 March, Football for Peace will host ‘wall activations’ in which children (and adults) will literally kick out the biggest water challenges, by hitting foam blocks with a football. Throughout this fun activity, the campaign staff will inform the participants about water and its crucial role in the peacemaking process. These two events are part of the Rehydrating the Earth campaign, a 10-year plan and partnership between Football for Peace and IGRAC.
Official World Water Day celebration
To celebrate World Water Day, a pivot event will be hosted by UNESCO, who are co-coordinating this year’s edition with UNECE. On 22 March, the UNESCO HQ in Paris will feature high-level speakers and experts, and cultural activities to express the concept of ‘water and peace’. Traditionally, the World Water Day pivot event also serves as occasion for the official launch of the annual World Water Development Report. This 2024 edition is entitled: “Water for Prosperity and Peace” and will be made openly available immediately after this official launch. Director Elisabeth Lictevout will represent IGRAC during this event.
World Water Film Festival
After a successful first edition at the Columbia University in Washington DC, the World Water film Festival 2024 is taking place in London. And it is hosted by a very fitting venue, namely the London Museum of Water & Steam. This event will showcase an inspiring collection of short films and since it takes place on Saturday 23 March, it offers a great closing of your World Water Day celebration.
But there is more..
Besides these events with IGRAC link, there are several other World Water Day events:
Water for Peace and Security Symposium
21 March 2024
17:30 (CET)
IHE Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
In-person details, and livestream details.
Water for Peace: pivot celebration of World Water Day 2024
22 March 2024
10:00-20:00 (CET)
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
In-person and webcast details.
Water as a catalyst for cooperative climate action and peace
22 March 2024
10:00 to 11:30 (CET)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Building, Geneva, Switzerland
More details are here.
Addressing Water for Peace: The Role of Capacity Building in Water Governance in Conflict and Humanitarian Settings
22 March 2024
15:00 (CET)
United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
In-person details, and webcast details.
Water as a Driving Force for Peace and Stability
22 March 2024
18:45-19:45 (CET)
Conference Room 7, UN headquarters, New York City, the United States.
Agenda.
Celebrating World Water Day 2024: Converging Efforts, Keeping the Momentum of Progress
22 March 2024
15:00-18:00 (CET)
UN headquarters, New York City, the United States
Here is the RSVP link.