Cecilia's story: health, water and sanitation are intrinsically related
By Cecilia Birungi, District Health Inspector, Kabarole district, Uganda. First published on the Toilet Talks website Lack of water and...
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Selected contributors
Barbara Schreiner, Executive Director, Water Integrity Network
She has over 20 years’ experience in water management in developing countries, with a focus on good governance and addressing poverty, inequality, gender and other forms of social and economic marginalisation. She is currently a member of the Advisory Committee to the Minister of Water and Sanitation in South Africa.
CONNECT Climate explores how we can capitalise on strategic opportunities arising through national and global responses to the climate crisis – from growing investments in adaptation to the rise of mass citizens movements.
The climate emergency is here and now. Water used by humans is profoundly linked to the climate crisis, yet those connections are not widely understood nor sufficiently informing strategies and policies. Resilient communities depend on it.
Day 1
DAY 1: TUESDAY 2 MAY
Together Stronger – all systems are connected
We open with our symposium’s purpose. Experts, changemakers and decision-makers assemble to explore how connecting across boundaries and promoting systems leadership can help us achieve social justice and improved national systems.
C2.1 Climate justice panel
Time: 11:30
Location: South America, World Forum
The climate crisis is most felt through water – and by those who have done least to contribute to climate change. Join this scene-setting session on climate justice and get enticed for the climate sessions to come on finance, loss and damages, and much more.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Hajar Yagkoubi
Elspeth Alexander, Bemari
Henk Ovink, Government of The Netherlands
Barbara Schreiner, Water Integrity Network
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, Awareness 360
C2.2 Avoiding the maladaptation trap - integrity and cross-sectoral collaboration in climate financing
Time: 13:45
Location: Yangtze, World Forum
Climate change has tremendous implications on how water resources are managed and delivered, but how do we make the best use of limited financial resources? This session will bring together stakeholders from different sectors to understand the link between integrity and good governance of water sector financing for climate adaptation.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Barbara Schreiner and Rebecca Sands, Water Integrity Network
Fred Kihara, The Nature Conservancy
Alfred Okidi Okot, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda
Adnan Ibn Abdul Qader, WaterAid
Virginia Roaf, Water WISER
Rehema Tukai, Water For People
C2.3 Understanding Loss and Damage - unlocking new flows of climate finance
Time: 15:30
Location: Central America, World Forum
Climate and humanitarian finance is often unpredictable. How can we collectively identify evidence and tools to generate actionable recommendations for loss and damage? How can we build on the global movement and ensure WASH is recognised?
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Adnan Ibn Abdul Qader, WaterAid
Day 2
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 3 MAY
Strengthening all systems – building resilience with water, sanitation and hygiene
Our systems journey continues as we explore and promote the role of resilient national water and sanitation systems, and the change agenda required to deliver them. Explore how water and sanitation can galvanise the development of wider public services.
C2.5 Catalyse the movement to achieve SDG 6: testing the sprint prototype for water and climate activists
Time: 11:30
Location: Yangtze 2, World Forum
We need action! Join the session and feed into the ongoing Design sprint where water and climate activists are uniting to accelerate progress toward SDG 6.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Valery Molay, MAKE CHANGE sprinter
Hajar Yagkoubi, MAKE CHANGE sprinter
Saoirse Moriarty, MAKE CHANGE sprinter
Anita Soina, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), MAKE CHANGE sprinter
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, Awareness 360
Hadi Toure Guindo, Afr'eau
Diandra Ní Bhuachalla, National Youth Council Of Ireland
Spurthi Kolipaka, University of Leeds
C2.4 Climate mitigation: Looking for win-win opportunities for WASH sector and for populations living in vulnerable situation
Time: 13:45
Location: Antarctica, World Forum
Come engage in conversations to identify win-win situations, discover the need for mitigation in sanitation, learn about the policy implications and find out about opportunities for carbon credits finance in water projects.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Barbara Evans, University of Leeds
Aude Perrine, South Pole
Keith Wright, Millennium Water Alliance
Lars Osterwalder, IRC
C2.6 Tapping into climate finance flows for water and sanitation
Time: 15:30
Location: Africa, World Forum
Come explore different climate finance structures that increase the flow of climate funds toward the water and sanitation sector.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Osward Mulenga Chanda, African Development Bank
Arjen Naafs, IRC
Sarah Custer-Lalanne, International Development Enterprises (iDE)
Jorge Alvarez Sala Torreano, UNICEF ROSA
Emmanuel Olet, African Development Bank
Day 3
DAY 3: THURSDAY 4 MAY
Taking action as systems leaders
We'll synthesise insights from the first two days, agree on actions and put you in the driving seat. With help from our Wisdom Council, you’ll take part in Action Assemblies and a final plenary to help define a post-event agenda while –hopefully – committing to your role in it.
C2.8 Action Assembly: climate
Time: 11:00
Location: Yangtze 1, World Forum
It’s time to raise our voices! Participants, not speakers or dignitaries, will be in the driving seat, for these informal town hall-style ‘Assemblies’ dedicated to moving the Water Action Agenda forward. A small number of foundational questions will generate insights, action agendas and systems leadership demands for each.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
All Systems Connect participants
Explore the rest of our programme
Our CONNECT blogs
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