Call for contributions: 42nd WEDC International Conference [online]

The call for contributions is now open for the 42nd WEDC International Conference: Equitable and Sustainable WASH Services: Future challenges in a rapidly changing world.

The Conference will be held online from 13-15 September 2021.

The conference comprises three days of online presentations and interactive discussions of peer-reviewed content; agency events from international organizations working in the sector; online exhibitions; and the opportunity for delegates to meet and network in virtual rooms.

Conference themes

1. Climate change: weather extremes (e.g. floods and droughts) and water resources management, including but not limited to topics related to fundamental understanding, remote sensing, modelling and management strategies
2. Integrating disaster risk management into WASH interventions
3. Sanitation systems and services e.g. household and peri-urban approaches and faecal sludge management
4. Rural water supply e.g. approaches to sustainability and serving the hardest to reach communities and households
5. Groundwater resources
6. Innovations and advances in biowaste, wastewater treatment and waste to energy technologies e.g. anaerobic digestion, composting, thermochemical processing, resource recovery and circular economy concepts; and end-use applications
7. Urban water management
8. Institutional development and programme management
9. Data analytics, machine learning/AI applications in WASH

Call for contributions: http://wedc.lu/42-call-for-contributions

Flush Away 2020: A 5-Day Game, December 27-31, 2020

From December 27 to 31, 2020, FLUSH, The Loo Tours, and The POOP Project have teamed up with Reel Paper to encourage you to let this year go. Any game participant has a chance to win an awesome raffle prize. See below for more details.

Each day will have a theme with some directions that we’ll share in videos around 6am EST / 11am GMT. You’ll have 24 hours to submit your results on Twitter and/or Instagram. Here are some hints about the 5 days of games:

• Day 1: Toilet Paper Challenge (arts & crafts)
• Day 2: Thank You (Sanitation Workers) Challenge (gratitude)
• Day 3: Toilet/WC Upgrade Challenge (design)
• Day 4: Bristol Bake-Off Challenge (baking)
• Day 5: Final Flush Challenge (therapy)

We are judging submissions based on creativity and fun! We encourage people to think outside the box (so long as it’s tasteful).

Eligibility

Participants are eligible to participate from anywhere in the world, as long as they are over the ages of 18 years, or have at least one member who is over 18 years old.

The Grant Prize of a year’s supply of Reel bamboo toilet paper is only available for participants in the US, but we have participation prizes for people elsewhere, as well! Family members of any company and organization hosting and running this game are welcome to participate but are exempt from winning the Grand Prize.

Submission Rules

• Social Media: Participants must post videos & pictures on Instagram (stories and/or feed posts) and/or Twitter.
• Hashtags: Submissions must include the hashtags #FlushAway2020 and another hashtag with the name of their team to be considered eligible for inclusion.
• One Team, One Account: Participant accounts submitting their posts has to remain the same throughout the game to make sure we can keep track of who is who! Feel free to team up with others, just note that there should be just one account for the submissions and the Grand Prize will be sent to the address of the account holder.
• Tag Us: Oh! You should also tag us on your submissions:
• Twitter: @flush_wash | @LondonLooTours | @poop_project | @reelpaperco
• Instagram: @flushllc | @londonlootours | @poop_project | @reelpaper
• Deadlines: Submissions for each day must be shared by 5am EST / 10am GMT the following day, sent with the same IG account. Make sure to have a decent internet connection to submit on time!
• Raffle Prize: Teams participating will receive up to two raffle tickets per day they participate, one for submitting and one for demonstrating extra creativity or effort. The raffle tickets will be given to the account holder that submitted the posts. Submit at least two times and you already win a prize – free admission into one of the team’s events. Submit all five days and you can attend two of the team’s events for free. The grand prize will be raffled off at the end to one winner. The more you submit, the more chances you have to win!

Content Rules

• Prove It’s You: A body part of a real, living person must be included in the post to prove you really completed the challenge.
• Freedom to Share: Submissions are agreeing that the hosting organizations can download and use their videos and pictures for promotional use in the future (i.e., a recap video, etc.).
• Keep it Tasteful: Pictures or videos that include real poo or sensitive materials (aka genitalia) are automatically disqualified and will be reported as abuse on social media.

Have any questions or need some more information? Feel free to email us at kim@flushwash.org.

Announcing the #MakeRightsReal campaign

As of today, the #MakeRightsReal campaign is ready to be shared! 

Before the campaign starts this 30 September, we are sharing information about the campaign with you – and hope you will be excited and take part! 

What is the campaign about?

10 years after the human rights to water and sanitation were first recognised, the #MakeRightsReal campaign has three aims: 

• Enable you to share your experiences of working with the human rights to water and sanitation in practice. 
• Provide a platform for you to demand more action to #MakeRightsReal
• Bring much needed attention and ultimately more support to this work, so that we can all #MakeRightsReal

Speaking together, we can show the potential of human rights – and demand more recognition and support for this vital work! 

And here is how you come in! 

You are already using human rights in your work? You think more should be done? Here is what you can do leading up to the campaign start on 30 September: 

• Learn everything you need to know to take part in the campaign here.
• Prepare a story to share on social media. You will find inspiration in the Campaign Guide and materials.
• You know someone who you think should share their experience? Tell them about the campaign! 
• Follow @RealiseHRWS on Twitter and @RealiseHRWS on Facebook and share information through your own channels.

And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

Why a campaign? 

Many WASH sector practitioners already use human rights in their work: Understanding inequalities in the enjoyment of services enables targeted planning to reach equality. With access to information for and participation by service users, their needs can be understood and met. If accountability is part of the service system, it will become more sustainable. All these are human rights principles and integrating them into practice yields results – and makes rights real!

10 years after the human rights to water and sanitation were first recognised, it is high time to focus on this practical value of human rights – and to demand that more attention, recognition and more support is given to this vital work! The #MakeRightsReal campaign aims to achieve this by showcasing experiences and demanding more action. Because it’s time to #MakeRightsReal!

We are looking forward to a great campaign start this 30 September!

Who is behind the campaign?

The campaign is intended as a neutral platform for all. It was developed by a group of WASH sector organisations: WASH United, WaterAid, Simavi, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, Unicef, Rural Water Supply Network, End Water Poverty. We share the interest of using the human rights to water and sanitation in practice to catalyse progress towards the realisation of services for all.

www.human-rights-to-water-and-sanitation.org

@WASHStrong takeover: How do human rights strengthen systems?

Tuesday, 28 July, marks the 10^th anniversary of the recognition of the human rights to water and sanitation!

@WASHStrong takeover: How do human rights strengthen systems?

On this day, @RealiseHRWS and @sanwatforall will take over the @WASHStrong twitter account to discuss how human rights contribute to strengthening WASH systems. We will share local and global approaches from Making Rights Real and Sanitation and Water for All.

The takeover will take place from 8am to 8pm Central European Time / 11.30am to 11.30pm India Standard Time / 2am to 2pm US Eastern Time.

Join us! https://twitter.com/WASHstrong

10 years after the human rights to water and sanitation were first recognised and with 10 years to go until the promise of SDG 6 should be fulfilled, we want to use this day as an opportunity for everyone to share their experiences of applying human rights to their own work.

Joins us if you…

–          Have used human rights and it has helped to improve WASH systems

–          Have questions on how human rights are relevant to WASH systems change

–          Want to see what experiences other have made

We hope for a lively exchange among practitioners in this space!

See you there

Hannah (WASH United/Making Rights Real), Manishka (SWA), Alec (Agenda for Change)

Priorities for the WASH sector in Ethiopia: report from a multi-stakeholder forum

By María Florencia Rieiro, Independent WASH Consultant

The annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) is the most important WASH sector event in Ethiopia with over 300 participants. The first WASH MSF was conducted in 2006 under the auspices of the European Union Water Initiative for WASH sector coordination. The Government Ethiopia’s WASH organisations (education, finance, health and water) took over the WASH sector coordination process later on and, since then, the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy has led the National WASH Steering Committee and the organisation of the MSF.

2019 marked the 10th MSF for WASH and the 2nd MSF for the Joint WASH-WRM. The event was held in Addis Ababa on 26th-27th November under the theme “Accelerating integrated, inclusive, sustainable and quality WASH services and water resources management for achieving the SDGs”. Among the WASH topics discuss, it is relevant to highlight equity, inclusion and accessibility in WASH, WASH marketing, WASH financing gaps and financing and equity, quality in WASH, sustainability in WASH, climate-resilient water safety planning and WASH sector institutional capacity building. The MSF 10 also comprised the launch of Ethiopia’s Open Defecation Free Campaign (2020-24).  

The MSF 10 full proceedings present the main highlights of the two days event together with the 12 priority undertakings for the year 2020. From the WASH side, the priority undertakings for 2020 are the following ones:

• Improve the institutional capacity to deliver WASH services.
• Increase the WASH sector financing.
• Improve the business climate for the private sector and improve the private sector’s capacity to deliver WASH services.
• Develop robust functional planning, monitoring, and a management information system for WASH.
• Develop rollout national strategies and the ODF campaign 2024 to eliminate open defecation (and urination) in rural and urban areas, and to improve the access to safe sanitation with dignity.

Water Currents – World Toilet Day 2019

World Toilet Day 2019: Water Currents, November 14, 2019

Toilets are more than a household necessity—they save lives, protect dignity, and create economic opportunity. This November 19, join the annual celebration of World Toilet Day to raise awareness of the importance of sanitation to lift people out of poverty. This year’s theme “Leaving No One Behind” emphasizes the importance of expanding sanitation access to the more than 4.2 billion people living without safely managed sanitation options.

USAID goes beyond toilet construction to address weak demand and low capacity for sanitation improvements. The Agency’s comprehensive approach includes engaging the private sector to develop aspirational and affordable products, unlocking financing, and strengthening sanitation governance, coupled with behavior change to encourage use and maintenance. To learn more about USAID’s sanitation activities, follow us @USAIDWater or visit Globalwaters.org.

This Water Currents contains recent studies and resources related to the sanitation issues facing marginalized or special populations, such as people with disabilities, refugees, sanitation workers, and the urban poor.

Read the complete issue.

World Water Week 2019 – Water Currents, August 20, 2019

World Water Week 2019 – Water Currents, August 20, 2019

Policymakers, researchers, and private sector representatives from around the world will soon gather in Stockholm for World Water Week, where they will be discussing local and global efforts to strengthen water security in a changing world. Convened by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), this year’s conference will run from August 25-30.

This issue of Water Currents provides information about this year’s World Water Week sessions, highlights USAID participation, and features recent studies and resources related to this year’s conference theme — “Water for Society: Including All.”

Events 
World Water Week 2019. World Water Week is an annual focal point for discussion of global water issues. Some of the resources that can be found on the official conference website include the conference program and the Seminars Abstract volume, a compilation of the oral and written scientific presentations that have been chosen for this year’s seminars.

USAID at Stockholm World Water Week 2019. This year’s USAID sessions will address topics ranging from elevating women’s role in water sector leadership to promoting self-reliance through improved financing of water and sanitation services.

Inclusive WASH
World Water Development Report 2019: Leaving No One Behind. UN Water, March 2019. This report demonstrates why improvements in water resources management and access to water supply and sanitation services are essential steps for addressing various social and economic inequities.

Leaving No One Behind: SWS Briefing Series. Sanitation and Water for All, October 2018. This briefing note examines how SWA partners can work together to eliminate inequalities in access to water and sanitation.

Read the complete article.

Webinar (June 27th) Support Mechanisms for Rural Sanitation Programmes

Join the CLTS Knowledge Hub for a free webinar from Dr. Jeremy Kohlitz and Professor Juliet Willett, authors of the forthcoming edition of Frontiers of CLTS: Support Mechanisms for Rural Sanitation Programmes.

Date: Thursday 27th June 2019
Time: 11:00 – 12:30 (BST)
Register here

The webinar will focus on:

• Different individual support mechanisms including financial, in-kind and non-material that go beyond conventional CLTS support processes.
• How these mechanisms can be designed to address the challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals and groups.
• The necessary monitoring systems and knowledge sharing needs
• Recommendations for practice moving forward

It will begin with a presentation by authors Dr. Jeremy Kohlitz and Professor Juliet Willetts followed by a Q&A.

A renewed focus on equity is being driven by the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation framework and Sustainable Development Goal 6, which emphasise the importance of adequate and equitable sanitation for all. Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is based on the idea that sustained, collective improvements in sanitation work best when communities identify and drive their own sanitation solutions. However, there is evidence that CLTS processes to achieve community-wide outcomes are not always systematic, adequate, sustained, or sufficient to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups. To ensure equitable outcomes, there is increasing attention on additional support mechanisms that complement conventional processes of demand creation, behaviour change, community empowerment and community action.

The webinar is based on the forthcoming edition of Frontiers of CLTS: Support Mechanisms for Rural Sanitation Programmes, which will be available in print and online at the end of June/early July 2019. This is the second part of a two part series on the overarching theme of Equality and non-discrimination (EQND) in sanitation programmes at scale. Part one is available to download here.

@USAIDWater – Earth Day 2019

This April 22, join us in celebration of Earth Day 2019.

Learn more about how USAID and its partners around the world are laying the foundation for a more water-secure world.

April 18, 2019 – Water Security in an Uncertain Future: Enhancing Water Resources Management and Planning by Reducing Climate- and Weather- Related Risks

Water Security in an Uncertain Future: Enhancing Water Resources Management and Planning by Reducing Climate- and Weather- Related Risks

• Date: Apr 18, 2019 – 4:00PM to 5:30PM EDT
• SPONSORED BY ATLAS
• WHO SHOULD ATTEND? USAID Staff, USAID Implementing Partners, Interested Public

Global water security is vulnerable to a range of risks, including those that are climate- and weather-related, such as floods, recurrent droughts and variable rainfall patterns. As these become increasingly more frequent and intense, safeguarding water resources is paramount to achieving development outcomes that help countries become more self-reliant.

An integrated approach to water resources planning and decision-making that addresses short- and long-term risks across capital investments in infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and human resources is needed to ensure high quality management and availability of increasingly scarce water resources.

The April Adaptation Community Meeting will focus on climate-related risks to water security and how USAID is responding through water resources management and planning. Approaches include examining climate related impacts affecting transboundary water resources and allocation, integrating a climate vulnerability assessment into decision-making, and use of natural infrastructure to improve water security and contribute to building resilience. The event will feature a panel discussion of relevant USAID-funded activities in Southern Africa, the Mara basin in East Africa, and Peru. Presentations will cover the following topics:

• Resilient Waters – USAID’s Resilient Waters program builds on previous USAID investments in the region, such as the Southern Africa Regional Environmental Program (SAREP) and Resilience in the Limpopo Basin (RESILIM) programs, to build the resilience of institutions and communities to reduce climate related risks. Working in the Limpopo and Okavango basins, Resilient Waters will build the capacity of various stakeholder groups to identify, prepare for, and adapt to climate risks. The project, early in its inception, plans to facilitate scenario planning exercises with stakeholders to identify capacity needs and develop adaptation responses based on resilience and vulnerability assessments conducted by SAREP and RESILIM, among others.
• Sustainable Water Partnership – The USAID Sustainable Water Partnership (SWP) launched an activity in the Mara basin to improve on-the-ground water security, develop a basin-wide plan for allocating water, and provide the tools and science to improve decision-making around water. To support these goals, the Adaptation Thought Leadership and Assessments (ATLAS) project conducted a basin-wide climate vulnerability assessment to inform water allocation plan decision-making.

Read more