World Water Day — Water for Cities

UN Water

Every second two persons are added to the urban population – today, half of the world’s population of almost 7 billion people lives in cities. This number is expected to grow to 60% by 2030. Urban growth is most rapid in the developing world where cities gain an average of 5 million residents every month. These and other statistics are shocking yet real and can be found in the Water and Cities Facts and Figures, published by the UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC).

On March 22, 2011, the world commemorates World Water Day again. The theme this year is Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge.

The following are some suggestions of where to go to learn more about the critical issue of water for cities, including suggestions for action:

  • the appealing website of UN Water for World Water Day 2011 is worth exploring. In addition to general information you can find here campaign materials such as posters, banners, and documents and publications including helpful fact sheets. To help you in organizing your own local event, the official World Water Day 2011 logo is available for downloading in more than 30 languages. Under “Worldwide Events” you can search for events in your country or add your own to the list of events;
  • the extensive web site of the Human Rights Council’s Independent Expert on the Right to Water and Sanitation;
  • a campaign for Lent 2011 by the Ecumenical Water Network, a network of churches and Christian organizations promoting everyone’s access to water.


Cecile Meijer, rscj
Maria Willhoit, volunteer
March 2011