WATER FOR LIFE 2005 - 2015
The use of water has been the top item on the agenda of the Earth Charter Committee of the Sisters of Charity of NewYork. So much so, that they have segmented this large concern into 10 distinct issues, such as privatization, local water management, impact on women and children, etc.
Water is indispensable for life. It is a crucial resource for human health and well-being, for the preservation of our natural environment and for the alleviation of poverty and hunger. Lack of access to safe drinking water is a major threat to the health and livelihoods of over one billion people throughout the world.
In December 2003, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action, 'Water for Life'. On March 22, 2005, Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, launched the 'Water for Life' Decade with this message:
Water is essential for life. Yet many millions of people around the world face water shortages. Many millions of children die every year from water-borne diseases. And drought regularly afflicts some of the world's poorest countries. The world needs to respond much better. We need to increase water efficiency, especially in agriculture. We need to free women and girls from the daily chore of hauling water, often over great distances. We must involve them in decision- making on water management. We need to make sanitation a priority. This is where progress is lagging most. And we must show that water resources need not be a source of conflict. Instead, they can be a catalyst for cooperation. Significant gains have been made. But a major effort is still required. That is why this year marks the beginning of the "Water for Life" Decade. Our goal is to meet the internationally agreed targets for water and sanitation by 2015, and to build the foundation for further progress in the years beyond.
This is an urgent matter of human development, and human dignity. Together, we can provide safe, clean water to all the world's people. The world's water resources are our lifeline for survival, and for sustainable development in the 21st century. Together, we must manage them better.
The Sisters of Charity of New York welcome and support the goals of the “WATER for LIFE” Decade as stated by the United Nations. In keeping with this action of the U.N. and the SC Federation initiative on water, we will continue to focus our advocacy and actions on issues relating to water and poverty. By joining in this international effort, we acknowledge our global interdependence and shared responsibility for the Earth and all people who are poor.
UN-Water is coordinating the ‘Water for Life’ Decade. To learn more about this United Nations system-wide, inter-agency gathering of all relevant agencies, departments and programs involved with water-related issues, go to their web site.
