ACQUAWARENESS (SPECIAL SESSION – REGIONAL PROCESS)

ACQUAWARENESS

(SPECIAL SESSION – REGIONAL PROCESS)

Contextualization

The session discussed key challenges and trends regarding effective communication with society on water issues. For the awareness of its importance, the theme should be present in the daily quotation of all people in their daily activities, which includes schools, universities, governments, companies, NGOs and other institutions. This requires a set of integrated actions to spread awareness of the importance of water. People need to invest money, energy and time for water issues. People’s involvement is critical because water belongs to people who want to be aware and informed. Thus they understand and can change their attitudes. It is important to disclose to people the water cycle – where it comes from and where the water goes. Honesty and transparency in communicating with people about future investments, costs and challenges are critical in this process of awareness.

Recommendations

It is recommended: to observe and incorporate people’s knowledge about water; expand international water campaigns and recommendations to policies, institutions and schools, in particular in their practices; spread the theme of the UN campaign in 2018 – Nature for Water – nature-based solutions, reproducing this message throughout the year; prioritize children’s schools and universities to disseminate the theme of water; spread the theme of water and its relationship with health; support spaces and organizations for integrated work with people and organizations for water.

Conclusions

Integrated, transparent and education-focused communication work are important actions for the population to understand the importance of water. It is essential to invest in communication, education, institutional networking, social networks and projects that increase knowledge and make people aware of water, with an integrated view, such as nature, potable water, economic input and cycle.