World Water Day
International or World Water Day is held every year on March 22 & focuses attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
In 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment & Development (UNCED) recommended an international day to celebrate freshwater. The UN General Assembly responded, announcing March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day focuses on an aspect of freshwater. The themes of past World Water Days include:
- Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities (2009)
- Sanitation (2008)
- Coping with Water Scarcity (2007)
- Water and Culture (2006)
- Water for Life (2005)
- Water and Disasters (2004)
- Water for the Future (2003)
- Water for Development (2002)
- Water for Health (2001)
- Water for the 21st Century (2000)
- Everyone Lives Downstream (1999)
- Groundwater: the Invisible Resource (1998)
- The World's Water: Is There Enough? (1997)
- Water for Thirsty Cities (1996)
- Women and Water (1995)
- Caring for our Wat Resources is Everyone's Business (1994)
- Visual art, theatrical and musical celebrations of water
- Conferences for local, national and international leaders on water management and security
- Educational events on the importance of clean water and protecting water resources
- Fundraisers to raise money for access to clean and affordable water
- Tours of local rivers, lakes and reservoirs
- Special media broadcasts
- Walks, runs and other sports competitions