Celebrating Water Democracy

California Communities
Celebrate Water Democracy
A Unique U.N. World Environment Day 2005 Event

What: Celebrating Water Democracy: A collaborative forum in support of a new global initiative demanding an international convention on the right to water. Celebrating Water Democracy will feature presentations from community water activists and dialogue with international guests. A UN World Environment Day 2005 Event

When: June 2, 2005 - 2:30pm-4:30pm

Where: The Sony Metreon, Fourth Floor Terrace, 101 Fourth Street, San Francisco

Why: The world is facing a water crisis. By 2025 two-thirds of the world's population may run short of fresh drinking water. An International Convention on the Right to Water would keep water available to the public by taking precedence over international trade laws that grant corporations rights to commodify and privatize water/water utilities. It would also give communities a powerful tool to hold their governments accountable for providing safe water for all.

From Bolivia to Bayview-Hunter's Point, from Ghana to Alpaugh in California's Central Valley, communities are organizing for the right to safe and affordable water. Celebrating Water Democracy will feature first-hand testimony from ten community representatives about these struggles.

Who: Collaborating organizations include: Public Citizen's Water for All, Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, Ghana National Coalition Against Privatization of Water, International Working Group on the Convention on the Right to Water, Communities for a Better Alpaugh, African International Mission, Hesperian Foundation, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Women of Africa, Alliance for Democracy, Africa International Mission, Priority Africa Network, National Wildlife Federation, People's Health Foundation, and others.