The international effort on sanitation and water is in disarray. Make your voice heard.

For World Toilet Day, take action now

World Toilet Day falls on 19 November and is a globally recognised moment - but how can you make the most of it? Read some ideas here...

Supporters could sign a petition

1. Add your name to the global petition calling for action from politicians on the sanitation and water crisis. 

2. Join the World Toilet Day Twitterstorm 

Have more time?

There are a range of things you could do to get more involved!

3. Get ready for the World’s Longest Toilet Queue
Use World Toilet Day to plan your involvement with the key mobilisation event of 2010: The World's Longest Toilet Queue.

• Read a current briefing
• Read a full toolkit for the event ( Adobe Acrobat Document 616KB), and find the website launched in November.

4. Petition your leaders
Run a petition at any event you host. Do it visually and creatively by gathering signed handprints, signatures on toilet seats or a photo petition. Remember to send us details so we can add your numbers to the global petition count.
• Read a guide to running a petition  
• See a sample petition sheet - but adapt it and make it your own.

5. Find a Sanitation Champion
Boost your campaign significantly by getting an endorsement from a high-profile figure in your country. Could you ask a leading economist or politician to write a supportive opinion piece in a newspaper, or a celebrity to ask their supporters to back your campaign?
• End Water Poverty is looking to promote global ambassadors, so let us know if you are successful.

UK minister being questioned

6. Hold a Toilet Summit
Invite high-profile politicians and others influential individuals, to a ‘Toilet Summit’ at your national parliament, or another key location. Ask the minister responsible to make a speech, making your government focus on the issue. You can use the event to say what you believe still needs to be done, and involve other groups in the campaign. 

7. Say it in a letter
Arrange a group of high-profile individuals to write to the minister responsible, alongside members of your campaign. Think about what group might get the government’s attention in a unique way. For example will the support of trade unions, faith leaders or health professionals help win over your minister?

Don’t forget to use the media. Many media outlets will be looking for an angle to cover the day, so why not help them you by putting on stunts, writing opinion pieces or taking journalists on a tour of communities in need of sanitation? Ensure you write a press release on your events of the day.

And, finally, send us your plans, photos and stories on your event so we can promote you. Contact serenaosullivan@endwaterpoverty.org. 

Get further ideas from what people around the world did in 2008.