This list will compile and summarize organizations involved in international water issues, and attempt to highlight their agenda. My posting of any international water organization does not represent my support or endorsement of such organization.
CARE helps communities build and maintain clean water systems and latrines. Both directly and through local organizations, CARE provides training and subsidizes construction, but communities make significant contributions in cash and labor, and pay the cost of operation and maintenance. The goal of these projects is to reduce the health risks of water-related diseases and to increase the earning potential of households by saving time otherwise spent gathering water. Projects also include educating people about good hygiene habits to reduce the risk of illnesses.
Circle of Blue is an international network of journalists, scholars and citizens that connects humanity to the global freshwater crisis. A project of the non-profit Pacific Institute, America’s premier water policy think tank, Circle of Blue pioneers communications and information technology with a new model for moving vital issues into the mainstream. It inspires and informs decision making with original reporting, dynamic data spaces and engaging social media.
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH - MIDDLE EAST
Founded 1994. Formerly: Ecopeace. Promotes cooperative efforts to to protect the “shared environmental heritage” of the Middle East, focusing particularly on transboundary ecosystems such as the Dead Sea Basin, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Members are groups in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. Affiliated with Friends of the Earth International.
Global Water is an international, non-profit humanitarian organization focused on creating safe water supplies, sanitation facilities and related health programs for rural villagers in developing countries. We believe the lack of safe drinking and agricultural water and lack of access to sanitation facilities are the root causes of disease, hunger and poverty throughout the world today.
A committed group of leading organizations has joined forces to catalyze transformational change in the water and sanitation sector through the Global Water Challenge (GWC). The GWC is an initiative to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education to people who lack these basic services. Launched by a diverse coalition of corporations, foundations, and aid organizations, the GWC is a unique partnership to build healthy communities and provide sustainable solutions to ensure the availability of potable water for those in need. The goal of the GWC is to bring safe water and sanitation to millions by identifying and multiplying the solutions that work.
Global Green USA is a national environmental organization addressing three of the greatest challenges facing humanity:
- Stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities.
- Eliminating weapons of mass destruction that threaten lives and the environment.
- Providing clean, safe drinking water for the 2.4 billion people who lack access to clean water.
President Gorbachev founded the organization in order to create a new approach to solving the world’s most pressing environmental challenges by reconnecting humanity to the environment.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HYDRO-GEOLOGISTS (IAH)
(Association Internationale des Hydrogéologues)
Founded 1956. Affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences. Promotes international cooperation among groundwater scientists and engineers; encourages exchange of hydrogeological information to advance the science and study of groundwater and aquifers. Has commissions on Groundwater Protection and on Hydrogeology in Developing Nations. Members are individuals and institutions in some 135 countries.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES (IAHS)
Founded 1922. Affiliated with the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. “The oldest and foremost international nongovernmental body dealing with hydrology and water resources.” Promotes the study and discussion of scientific aspects of hydrology. Among IAHS’s scientific units are the International Commission on Water Quality (ICWQ) and the International Commission on Water Resources Systems (ICWRS). Members of IAHS are national committees and individual hydrologists in many countries.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR WATER LAW (IAWL)
No current information available. Founded 1967. Promotes progress in the science of water law, and the development of national water legislation and the legal aspects of national water administrations and institutions. Members are individual experts in some 100 countries.
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON LARGE DAMS (ICOLD)
(Commission International des Grands Barrages) (CIGB)
Founded 1928. Encourages improvements in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of large dams through research and exchange of information. (Large dams are defined as dams over 15 meters high, of which there are over 36,000 in operation worldwide.) Main activity is a triennial congress. Members are national committees in 80 some countries.
International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE FOR WATER
Office International de l’Eau (OIEau)
Formed in 1991 by the merger of 3 groups. Promotes “capacity building for better water management.” Develops exchanges and provides training and other services to European and developing countries in the areas of water resources, wastewater treatment, and prevention of water pollution. Provides the secretariat for the International Network of Basin Organizations, which includes over a hundred groups in some 40 countries. Members of IOWater are organizations in some 25 countries.
International Rivers works to protect rivers and rights, and promote real solutions for meeting water, energy and flood management needs.
INTERNATIONAL WATER AND SANITATION CENTRE (IRC)
(Centre International de l’Eau et l’Assainissement)
Formerly: International Reference Centre for Community Water Supply and Sanitation. Founded 1968. Provides information and documentation services, training, and research and development support to water supply and sanitation projects and programs in developing countries. Governing board includes representatives of UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and the World Bank. Has partner organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
INTERNATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION (IWA)
Merger of the International Water Supply Association and the International Association on Water Quality. Promotes the “integrated management of water as the best strategy for securing safe water supplies and adequate sanitation for communities worldwide.” Covers “all aspects of water supply and treatment; wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal; and overall management of water quality and quantity.” Among its specialist groups on sources and effects of pollution are: Environmental Restoration; Eutrophication; Forest Industry; Groundwater; Hazard Assessment and Control of Environmental Contaminants; Landfill Management of Solid Wastes; and Surface Water. In addition, there are specialist groups on various treatment processes, management, and training. Members of IWA are individuals and organizations (agencies, firms, universities, and associations) in some 130 countries.
INTERNATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION (IWRA)
Founded 1972. “An interdisciplinary worldwide organization for water managers, scientists, planners, manufacturers, administrators, educators, lawyers, physicians, and others concerned with the future of our water resources.” Members are individuals in over 100 countries.
This is a christian, religious organization. Lifewater does not merely hire staff or consultants to drill wells, fix hand pumps, or transmit information to those in need. Rather, the goal is to train and equip nationals with the skills needed to access, use, and maintain safe water – and pass these skills along to others. Because our partners take ownership in the process, they are empowered to continue the work long after Lifewater volunteers have returned home.
Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.3 billion in assistance to people in 100 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America, Europe and Asia, the agency’s unified global programs employ 3,400 staff worldwide and reach nearly 14.4 million people in more than 35 countries.
These sobering facts inspire the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA), a consortium of leading nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), to strive toward our goal to help 500 million people obtain water and basic sanitation by 2015. Our vision mirrors our belief that no one should die or suffer chronic illness as the result of a water-related disease.
The Pacific Institute works to create a healthier planet and sustainable communities. They conduct interdisciplinary research and partner with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity—in California, nationally, and internationally.
Water Advocates is the first US-based nonprofit organization dedicated solely to increasing American support for worldwide access to safe, affordable and sustainable supplies of drinking water and adequate sanitation.
WaterAid and its partners use practical solutions to provide safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. We also seek to influence policy at national and international levels.
Water For People helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene education programs
WaterPartners International is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Working in partnership with donors and local communities, we have helped thousands of people develop accessible, sustainable, community-level water supplies. WaterPartners not only offers traditional, grant-funded programs, but is also harnessing the power of micro-finance to address the world water crisis.
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION COLLABORATIVE COUNCIL
Founded 1990 “through a mandate by the UN General Assembly to maintain the momentum of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990) . Enhances international “collaboration in the water supply and sanitation sector,” especially regarding services for poor people. Members are some 2,000 professionals from over 140 countries.
WORLD BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Founded 1995 through a merger of the Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Industry Council for the Environment, the latter an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce. “A coalition of some 150 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development, i.e., environmental protection, social equity, and economic growth.” Purposes are “to be the leading business advocate” on issues connected with the environment and sustainable development; participate in policy development; share leading-edge best practices; and contribute to developing countries and nations in transition. Themes are trade and environment; natural resources; innovation and technology; climate and energy; ecoefficiency; sustainability through the market; corporate social responsibility; exploring future global scenarios; and advancing a global compact in which business would embrace a set of core principles on labor standards, human rights, and environmental practices. Members of the Council are companies from some 30 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. WBCSD has national councils and partner organizations throughout the world.
Established in 1998, the WCD was a “focused, independent think tank set up and financed by aid agencies, industry, governments, and NGOs to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly impacts of dams around the world.” It disbanded with issuance of its final report in November 2000, Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision-Making (published by Earthscan, London).
From 2001-2003, UNEP conducted a follow-up effort, the Dams and Development Project (DDP).
WORLD WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM - UNESCO
This UN-wide programme seeks to develop the tools and skills needed to achieve a better understanding of those basic processes, management practices and policies that will help improve the supply and quality of global freshwater resources.
Founded 1996. “The international water policy think tank” created in response to a recommendation of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Mission is to “promote awareness of critical water issues at all levels, including the highest decision-making level, to facilitate efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management, and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life on earth.” Activities include policy development; organizing meetings, including a triennial WWC Forum; monitoring the WWC’s World Water Vision; and establishing a World Commission on Water, Peace, and Security. Members of WWC are some 300 organizations in 40 countries.
2 responses so far ↓
John Oldfield // January 13, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hi Abby,
Check out wateradvocates.org - we are a nonprofit lobbying group in Washington DC dedicated to increasing US support for the global safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene challenge.
You might consider adding the Global Water Challenge to your list as well. They are an initiative of the United Nations Foundation.
Thanks
John
waterfortheages // January 14, 2008 at 11:04 am
John, thanks for telling me about these two additional organizations. I am always interested to hear about more groups working on international water issues.
-Abby
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