Hekima College World Water Day action

Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR) – Hekima College
Nairobi, Kenya, 20 Mar 09

Throughout human development, watercourses have played a major role as the medium of communication, trade, agriculture, fishing, recreation, tourism, culture, and location of human settlements. Water has become even more significant in the light of the ever-increasing human population which comes with a corresponding need for fresh water for domestic consumption, agricultural and industrial uses making many countries fall into the category of ‘water scarce’ nations.

Since 2007, the Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR) initiated a Course on Managing Transnational Water Conflicts in Africa to discuss issues and challenges related to water and how practical and viable solutions can be found to some of these problems.
In relation to this aim and in line with the theme of the World Water Day,-Shared Waters, Shared opportunities, HIPSIR in collaboration with Franciscan Africa and Jesuit Hakimani Centre are hosting a Water Day on 21st March, 2009. The Water Day is a prelude and part of the activities being organized by the Ministry of Water in Kenya for the World Water Day, which will be held on the 22nd March, 2009. Different activities will take place including exhibitions, sharing of different experiences on the use and management of water, entertainment including: drama, poems, dances, songs etc.

The Hekima Water Day will be preceded by an Academic Seminar on Friday, 20th March 2009, at the Auditorium of Hekima College, Ngong Road from 2.00PM – 5.00PM. Here critical issues affecting shared water resources in Africa and different perspectives from other parts of the world will be discussed. To facilitate this, renowned scholars will be invited to present papers. A group of students will also present papers on different issues on Lake Victoria including cross border conflicts between Uganda and Kenya and the Water Hyacinth problem.

The significance of the Water Day is evidenced by the fact that it underpins the principles of the World International Water Day and its theme, “Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities”. Secondly, in Kenya today, and in other regions of Africa and the world, countries are facing very serious challenges of water including food insecurity. This is therefore, an opportunity to educate and sensitize people on some of the problems affecting transboundary water resources and the importance of using and managing water properly in Kenya and other parts of the world. It will also be an important forum where different experiences related to water issues will be shared.

The Seminar and Water Day will gather approximately 250 and 500 participants respectively from different institutions, organizations, communities and the population at large.
Kindly bring with you as many bottles of water as you can as a contribution to the success of this day.
For further information call us on: Tel: +254 (02) 3999 812,
Mob: + 254 (02) 736076447, Email: connie-martinon@yahoo.co.uk.

“Water! Water! Water! Water! Yes Water Manage it!

Contact: Connie Martinon