Global Water Alliance Marks 20 Years of Global Water Accessibility Efforts
March 22nd marked World Water Day, an annual observance established by the United Nations that emphasizes the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources around the world. Equitable access to clean water is a global necessity, and one that still requires global attention to achieve.
Here in Philadelphia, the Global Water Alliance (GWA) takes on this global issue and engages the Philadelphia community and beyond to conduct research and provide avenues for increasing access to clean water for all.
GWA was founded in 2006 as an international nonprofit, headquartered in Philadelphia. Consistently working in close partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the organization has made strides in research and method implementation over the last 20 years.
Upon their establishment, GWA expressed strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal #6 and has remained steadfast in addressing these needs ever since. SDG #6 aims to achieve Clean Water and Sanitation for all communities. Billions around the world lack access to these necessities, and this issue is exacerbated by global conflicts and climate change. Change requires infrastructure investment, efforts to address climate change, and international cooperation. This is a substantial task, but local organizations with global perspectives like GWA are instrumental in leading this charge.
Now, GWA has solidified their global impact. They have instituted field projects in rural areas in Guatemala, India, Mexico, and Cameroon that increase clean water access. In addition, GWA boosted their education initiatives, providing mentorship opportunities and resources like their Water Literacy Tool Kit.
GWA co-created the International Journal for Water Equity and Justice in partnership with The Water Center at Penn and with the support of Climate Leaders at Penn. With 10 editions published, the journal is an online, open-access resource on global progress and challenges pertaining to water equity and justice, and has readership across the world.
GWA’s 18th Annual Conference took place on March 26th, dealing with the theme: “Levers for Progress to Strengthen Water Sustainability and Public Health.” The conference was co-hosted by Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health and offered an avenue for participants to “create and exchange knowledge on how to implement strategies in the water sector to build resilience for our communities that align with the broader sustainability goals. This year the participants [were] challenged to explore the challenges and options towards water-smart management and improved informatics, including AI, to deliver on improved water services.”
The post-conference reception took place at Fairmount Water Works, a local National Historical Landmark and relevant historical feature to the water-processing systems of the past. Each year, this conference and funds raised result in tangible, positive effects on water accessibility, as GWA continues to promote water justice and equality.
Photo Credits
Cover Photo: Photo by Mitchell Kmetz on Unsplash
Group Photo: https://www.globalwateralliance.net/wash-field-projects/
