Civil society on the road to the 10th World Water Forum in Bali

Every three years, the water community gathers at the World Water Forum (WWF), a major global process co-organized by the World Water Council and a host country. The 10th edition will take place in Bali, Indonesia, from May 18 to 25, 2024, under the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity”.

The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) believes that to meet the world’s water challenges, the commitment of all stakeholders is essential. It stresses the importance of inclusive participation, particularly by civil society and young people, who are at the heart of water and sanitation issues.

Over the years, the ISW has established itself as a catalyst for the priorities of civil society and young people, notably by initiating the Youth Space at the WWForum in Dakar in 2022.

Over 100 members of ISW networks will be present in Bali, actively contributing to discussions and outcomes. Find out more about ISW’s mobilization and advocacy efforts, notably through the platforms it has launched and leads, such as the Butterfly Effect CSO/NGO coalition, the World Youth Parliament for Water and the Global Youth Movement for Water.

Collective influence to accelerate change

The ISW facilitates the development of key advocacy messages and the positioning of civil society and youth organizations in the various processes of the Bali WWForum (thematic, political, regional).

Common priorities – built in particular on the achievements of the “Dakar Declaration” (WWForum 2022) – will be brought to the highest level and will serve as a common basis for advocacy following the event. In particular, the ISW and its partner networks call for strong political leadership for water at all levels, and encourage collaboration across borders, generations and sectors, with a focus on promoting inclusive water management, the importance of robust and transparent monitoring and evaluation of all commitments made during the various editions of the World Water Forum and those to come. We also strongly condemn the use of water as a weapon in conflicts.

6th General Assembly of the World Youth Parliament for Water

It was during the Marseille World Water Forum (2012) that the ISW organized the first World Youth Parliament for Water. Its 6th edition will take place from May 15 to 25, 2024. During these 10 days (leading up to and during the WWForum in Bali), 75 young people from +50 countries – who have been selected based on their background, knowledge, and commitment to their community – will have the opportunity to influence the global water agenda.

The Young Water Parliamentarians will take part in training sessions led by influential professionals, exchange ideas with peers from around the world and, most importantly, champion the voice of youth, with the aim of bringing about rapid and meaningful change.

Find out more here about

ISW’s involvement in the 10th World Water Forum in a nutshell
  • Over 100 members of ISW networks mobilized, including members of the World Youth Parliament for Water and the Butterfly Effect.
  • 5 preparatory events for the Bali WWForum supported by the ISW. To ensure that all voices were fully represented, the ISW organized consultations with its networks and regional dialogues in Africa, Central America, Europe and South-East Asia.
  • 50 sessions, panels, dialogues, organized and/or supported by ISW and its partners – youth and civil society – during the Forum.
  • Working in tandem with the Bali Youth Plan (WWForum organizers) as the main youth support and empowerment organization, and support of the Youth Space planning.
  • Coordination of a matchmaking process between the 75+ young parliamentarians and session organizers to increase youth engagement during the Forum.
  • Daily briefings for youth delegates on May 21, 22 and 23, 2024, in collaboration with the Bali Youth Plan
  • 1 “We are Water” art event led by artist Liina Klaus with SDC support, part of the 1 Million Youth Action Challenge to raise awareness of the importance of collective action to tackle plastic pollution and preserve our planet

The ISW is involved at various levels and has several important entry points to ensure that the voices of civil society and young people are truly heard and taken into account at this Forum. In all, ISW and its partner networks will be taking part in over 50 panels, sessions and political segments. Here is a non-exhaustive list of key events and processes in which ISW is involved:

  • May 20: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: 4TA2: “Cross-border and cross-sector dialogue for peace and water resilience“ – ISW panelist
  • May 21: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: HLP15: “Bandung Spirit Water Summit – a new political corridor to achieve the SDGs through water“ – Young representatives of WYPW panelists
  • May 21: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: “Youth in water” – session co-organized by ISW-SWE and the French Water Agencies on the France stand
  • May 21: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Second meeting of the One Water Summit steering committee – ISW participant
  • May 21: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: T2D1: “Enabling environment for the development of sanitation and hygiene services” – young representatives of WYPW and Butterfly Effect panelists
  • May 22: Full day: “Basin segment of the political process” – WYPW representatives panelists and rapporteurs
  • May 22: 8.30am – 10am: HLP7: “The role of the private sector in achieving the goals of MDG 6” – WYPW representative panelist
  • May 22: 1pm – 2:30pm: “Young people in transboundary water management” – Espace Jeunesse – ISW coordinator
  • May 23: 10:30am – 12pm: “Voices of indigenous peoples” – Youth Space – ISW and WYPW coordinators
  • May 23: 10am – 12pm: T2C2: “Achieving MDG 6 (water access targets) in fragile and humanitarian contexts” – ISW and Butterfly Effect panelists
  • May 23: 2:30pm – 5pm: T4D2: “Every word counts: the role of marginalized people in shaping water policies” – ISW and Butterfly Effect coordinator, WYPW representatives  panelists
  • May 24: 10am – 12:30pm: “Session of the Balinese Youth Parliament for Water” on the Youth Space – ISW coordinator
  • May 24: 11am – 12pm: “From Dakar and New York to Bali: the global water challenges ahead” – Butterfly Effect coordinator, ISW and WYPW panelists
  • May 24: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: “Human rights to water and sanitation: the power of civil society to influence public policy” –  France Stand – ISW panelist

For press and conference inquiries, please contact: Coline Arnoux carnoux@see-swe.org

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