National Youth Meeting 2013: Young Citizens for Water

Each year ECO-UNESCO hosts a Youth Meeting to bring together young people aged 15 – 18, to speak directly with experts and policy-makers, develop youth- led plans for action in their schools and communities and above all, make their voices heard on the issues that are important to them!

This year’s meeting Young Citizens for Water was held on November 28-29 with over 70 young people attending from all over Ireland. 

What?

Water is essential for life. No living being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment. However, four of every ten people in the world do not have access to even a simple pit latrine; and nearly two in ten have no source of safe drinking water.

Why?

Young people are vital stakeholders in the present and future of this planet; the aim of this project is to raise awareness on water issues including water and food, water scarcity, water and biodiversity and challenges facing water management. The objective of the seminar was to engage young people in a structured dialogue about water with a focus on youth-led initiatives. During the meeting young people learned more about water issues and met with Irish policy makers and experts and had the opportunity to ask questions and take part in exciting workshops on specific themes. From the two day meeting, the young people were able to forumulate eco-action plans for their own communities which they will carry out over the next few months in an effort to raise awareness and combat a local water issue. Young people will return to the Greenhouse in January 2014 to learn how to create their very own water awareness film. 

Themes of the Young Citizens for Water National  Youth Meeting: 

1.Water Quality (to include water quality and water sanitation) 

2.Water and Food (to include food security and agriculture) 

3.Water and People (to include human rights to water, water and gender, water scarcity) 

4.Water and Biodiversity (to include the importance of water for biodiversity) 

5.Water and Places (to include water in cities and rural areas) 

6.Water and the Green Economy (to include water and the Green Economy) 

7.Youth Participation (to include the importance of youth) 

Photos from the event: Click here to see all of the photos from the 2013 Youth Meeting 

Raising awareness through film

In January 2014 all participants will return to the Greenhouse for a film making workshop. Following this, the participants will make their own film regarding water issues which will be premiered in May 2014 at the Young Environmentalist Awards Final. The films will be shown in the young people’s local areas and will be used to influence local decision makers. 

This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

ECO-Youth Forum Archive

Click here for information about past Youth ECO-Forums