UN "Global Challenge of Water" Conference

Water 1st Executive Director Marla Smith-Nilson Speaks at United Nations Conference in New York City

On February 3, 2006, Water 1st Executive Director Marla Smith-Nilson was among the speakers invited to participate in the “Global Challenge of Water” conference at the United Nations in New York City. Marla spoke on the “Innovations to meet the Challenge” panel and addressed sustainability issues that are critical to meeting the water needs of over a billion people, such as working through local partner organizations, community commitment, integrated projects, and women's involvement.

Other speakers included Nane Annan, lawyer, artist, and wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; Mr. Jan Eliasson, President of the UN General Assembly; Vanessa Tobin, Chief of the Water Environment and Sanitation Section of UNICEF; and Dr. Peter Gleick, Co-founder and President of the Pacific Institute.

Nane Annan and Vanessa Tobin spoke about UNICEF’s work including the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Health) program in schools, and the relationship between water and education for girls in poor nations. Mr. Jan Eliasson called for governments around the world to increase their spending to meet the water and sanitation needs of developing nations. In his keynote address, Dr. Gleick emphasized that grassroots, de-centralized efforts, such as the work supported by Water 1st, are now equally if not more important than the traditional large, centralized efforts in reaching the goal of safe water for all.

The efforts of Water 1st are efficient, sustainable, and utilize the valuable resource of human talent that exists in the communities and partners we support. Our grassroots efforts are critical to meeting the need, and our contributions are making a difference.