Make sure world leaders talk toilets at the UN
UN Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, 22nd-25th September 2008
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon
22nd-25th September 2008 sees world leaders gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to discuss plans to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Following on from the G8 summit, this is the next big chance for the End Water Poverty coalition to get world leaders to take decisive action to agree a global plan of action on water and sanitation.
For this to happen we all need to act, and End Water Poverty encourages all members to ensure your government is a water and sanitation champion at the UN this September.
What are we doing? As well as supporting members campaign and lobbying Governments, End Water Poverty is building on the global petition undertaken for the G8 summit and aims to bring the petition over the 1 million mark. This will be done by adding petitions being undertaken by member organisations across the world.
What can your organisation do? Whether it be organising a meeting with your government representatives, running a petition to add to the End Water Poverty global total, or holding a press conference to highlight the importance of the UN event, your actions will be valuable in ensuring our leaders take action on water and sanitation at the UN meeting.
What can you do as an individual? Support our member organisations in your country to campaign, and raise the issues directly with your political representatives by meeting or writing to them.
What resources are available to help? Below are links to downloadble documents providing briefing papers, sample letters and press releases, and ideas to help you campaign.
- A sample press release and media factsheet to support your activities (Word 67Kb)
- A policy briefing paper aimed at African leaders (PDF 82Kb)
By acting, you will be joining campaigners in other countries working to ensure this crucial meeting delivers for the 2.5 billion people without access to a safe toilet. Just a few examples include:
In Mali: End Water Poverty campaigners are to meet a representative from the President's office to encourage positive involvement at the UN meeting.
In the Netherlands: Simavi are running a petition for medical doctors and a stunt placing hundreds of 'potties' outside their parliament, demonstrating the importance of sanitation to public health.
In Spain: El Faro, a coalition of NGOs, are collecting tens of thousands of petitions at their water 'Expo' being held in Zaragoza, and presenting the outcomes of discussions to the Spanish media and Prime Minister.
In the UK: UNICEF UK, Tearfund and World Vision are collecting petitions, while WaterAid are mobilising supporters to write directly to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Events are also being held at the Labour Party Conference.
NEW: Read the letter sent to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon from Directors of 73 organisations worldwide (opens in a new window).
Visit the official UN site for more information (opens in a new window)