Clean Water for Life

Improving water quality, rights, and access worldwide

6:00 - 8:30p.m., Tuesday March 23, 2010
NYU School of Law at Vanderbilt Hall, Room 204
(40 Washington Square South, between MacDougal and Sullivan Streets)

Cosponsored by NYU Wagner’s International Public Service Association (IPSA), Environmental Policy Alliance (WEPA), Food Policy Alliance (WFPA), NYU Law Students for Human Rights (LSHR) and NYU Steinhardt’s Public Health Student Group (PHSG)

According to the World Health Organization, 884 million people—roughly one in eight of the world's population—do not have access to safe water. With less than 1% of all fresh water on Earth fit for human consumption, scientists predict that two-thirds of the global population could face conditions of water scarcity by 2025.

As the most essential element to life, water issues are intimately linked to public health, human rights, female education, economic development, food security, and environmental sustainability. Please join us for a film screening and panel discussion on the impacts of the global water crisis and the importance of increasing access to safe and affordable water worldwide.

Film Screening: Water First, produced by Amy Hart
Synopsis: Through the inspiring story of Charles Banda, a local fireman turned waterman who has drilled over 800 wells for impoverished communities in Malawi, it becomes apparent why clean water should be first if we are genuinely committed to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and reducing poverty and the suffering it causes in developing nations.

Panel Discussion: Exploring Perspectives on Water and Development
Natasha Iskander, NYU Wagner School of Public Service – Moderator
Elizabeth Sepper, NYU Law School Center for Human Rights and Global Justice - Water rights and women in Haiti
Margaret Batty, WaterAid - Hygiene, sanitation and sustainability of water projects
Amy Hart, Water First - Water and the Millennium Development Goals
Dave Andrews, Food and Water Watch - Water and food security
Sara Pesek, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center – Water in the US

Networking & Reception, Room 201
Join us after the event for refreshments and a chance to meet participants, panelists, and other organizations that are involved in this work.

This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP to NYUWorldWaterDay@gmail.com