World Speakers & Panelists;
England - Dr. Patrick Moriarty.
Kenya - Dr. Ganthinji Gitahi.
Germany- Henk Ovinks.
Nigeria - Ambassador Amaka Nweke.
South Africa - Alana Potter.
Nigeria - Mr Temple Oraeki.
Malawi - Hon. Abida Sidik Mia, and a host of other representatives.
The 2023 edition of "All Systems Connect Symposium" held in Hague, Netherlands between May 2nd, 3rd and 4th, was a three day event organised by "IRC International, Water For People and Water For Good in partnership with the government of Netherlands and other international NGOs with the goal of connecting people and ideas, systems and solutions from health, climate, economic development, education, social justice and beyond to achieve justice for all.
The three days presentations from world leaders, policy experts and advocates of eradication of Water Poverty was designed to help changemakers from water, sanitation and hygiene, public health and climate resilience, applauded the administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the swift passage of Water Law which goes beyond Water Resources Act that vests the right to the use and control of all surface and groundwater and of all water together with the bed and banks in any watercourse affecting more than one state in the Government of the Federation to meeting the water need of a common man, repel and control water pollution especially in the rural areas of Enugu State.
According to an international reporter, it was an excellent presentation of a representative from Nigeria, Amb. Mrs Amaka Nweke JP, which contained a clear and indepth narration of the conditions of rural dwellers in the South-Eastern part of the country, the detailed process of Gov. Ugwuanyi's intervention and the passage of water law while calling on the incoming administration of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to continue with the legacies of the outgoing government which has responded to the outcry of civil society organisations and concerned citizens in similar cases, that spurred the global audience to commend Ugwuanyi for the success story recorded in his country, Nigeria.
According to the Keynote Speaker of the Symposium and the CEO of Amref Health Africa from Kenya, Dr. Ganthinji Gitahi "the worst crime against humanity is lack of access of water & sanitation, we are not just here for the sake of water & sanitation, we’re here to save lives.
A Dutch Special Envoy to United Nations and Flood Expert, Henk ovinks on the other hand, posited that certain questions begs for answer; "How do we change the system - to make the world liveable, to provoke a Revolution to solve the water & sanitation crisis?”
Representing South Africa was Alana Potter, the Coordinator of End Water Poverty who pointed out in his speech that people are not marginalised accidentally, they are actively excluded by systems of power, to achieve a desired outcome, some systems need to be disconnected and de-empowered"
From England, was Dr Patrick Moriarty, the Chief Executive Officer, IRC's who spoke on water rights and climate change while Honourable Abida Sidik Mia, The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Malawi, emphasised on hygiene and water safety. Others spoke on different topics bothering on water related issues globally and possible solutions.
All Systems Connect international symposium 2023 has been developed by "One for All Alliance and Partners" to bring together changemakers from water, sanitation and hygiene, health, climate, economic development and social justice, to connect with purpose, work on collective solutions, and strengthen their capabilities as systems leaders.
The symposium is borne out of a conviction that the challenges we face cannot be resolved by the fragmented and silted thinking of the past. The solutions are out there, they lie in strong, interconnected, national and local Systems working in coordination together to deliver crucial public services.
Large industries contaminate the water body thereby causing pollution to water bodies and depriving communities access to water like the case of Nvuna Liver in Nomeh, a community in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria whose only water body have been polluted by an alleged ethanol producing industry, endangering the lives of the people of that part of the country whose only source of water is from that particular river.
Water and sanitation are essential in schools, hospitals and markets, and lack of access to clean water is a denial of human rights. The biggest failure in current society is the death of over 5million children under 5 years. Over 50% of them are in Africa. So what do we need to do? the answer is simple, "improve your water, sanitation, higiene, and public health" as these children are mostly dying of water related diseases.
Our governments need to rise up to this challenge. To put an end to water poverty and protect the water body from industries that pollute it. Strategies should also be deployed to regulate and monitor the activities of industries.
As a call for all, everyone has to be an Ambassador in this struggle to end water issues. The voices of communities must be heard by the the government. The essence of democracy is to impact the lives of the ordinary people since health is cheaper than healthcare.
"Our engagements with Enugu State Government from the time we started talking about the water bill that was passed into law till the time state of emergency was cleared on WASH also appeared in the report launched by End Water Poverty Uk. We got a lot of commendation and it gives strength to keep on and never to give up on Social Justice" Amb. Nweke stated.
FountainCare Reporters
