The contribution of the International Secretariat for Water (ISW), Solidarity Water Europe (SWE) and their partners to the 5th World Water Forum

The objectives of the International Secretariat for Water (ISW) and Solidarity Water Europe (SWE) are to promote access to drinking water and sanitation for all, according to the principles of the right to water, democratic governance and decentralised financing.

The capacities of populations and their partners to determine their needs and to manage the choice and implementation of appropriate solutions are also supported. The ISW and SWE saw participation in the 5th World Water Forum in Turkey as important in working towards these objectives. Our delegation was made up of some permanent staff members, members of the two boards and partners from Africa, Central Asia, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, North America and Latin America.

In Istanbul in March 2009 the ISW, SWE and their partners carried out the following activities:

• At the «Feshane facility», built the Citizens’ House for Water and the surrounding area entitled «Fountains of Knowledge», designed by architecture students from Istanbul’s Mimar Sinan University.
• Organised workshops and debates in the Citizens’ House for Water.
• Organised the International «Water and Film» Events from 16 to 22 March.
• Facilitated an intensive three-day working session for young people from Turkey and around the world.
• Organised a photo exhibition on a catamaran entitled «Water, a bridge for peace».
• Launched the Blue Book for Benin: Water, Life, People.
• Chaired a parliamentary session of 200 elected representatives.
• Participated in the sessions and various forum activities.