Radolfzell/Berlin, 18 March 2015: The theme of this year's United Nations World Water Day "Water and Sustainable Development" summarizes the core activities of Global Nature Fund (GNF), the International Foundation for Nature & Environment. Sustainable development linked to water conservation and its sustainable use is illustrated by numerous successful projects carried out by GNF together with Living Lakes` partners from all over the world.
Sustainability - filling a word with lifeThe preservation of the world's freshwater resources is in the center of GNF´s international project activities. Many water ecosystems are currently under increasing pressure and are threatened by an ever growing water demand as well as habitat destruction. In this regard, GNF demonstrates a variety of successful projects on sustainable development advanced with professional and reliable partners in more than 55 countries worldwide. Behind these partners in the Living Lakes Network are many dedicated people, devoted and committed to the success of the projects. Many employees and volunteers received awards for their work on sustainability and environmental projects. Also, the network itself received many recognitions, among the most prestigious ones is the status of "Official Project of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development" awarded for the years 2006 through 2014.
Sustainability through community-rooted projectsIn South America, i.e. in Columbia, GNF and the Fundación Humedales are promoting constructed wetlands, so called Green Filters, in rural villages in order to reduce waste water outflow towards lakes. Green filters are an excellent example of sustainable solutions to preserve water quality. No chemicals and no energy are used for the sewage cleaning process. In addition, these artificial wetlands provide habitat for birds, insects and wildlife. On the other hand, constructed wetlands have a direct social impact by reducing water borne diseases and by providing job opportunities for maintenance for local people.
Sustainable use of water as a dialogue incentive in the Middle EastGNF and the partner organization EcoPeace are engaged in developing a regional Master Plan for the Lower Jordan River, shared between Israel, Palestine and Jordan. This project aims at developing a sustainable use of water in the Lower Jordan River region. The river is currently being overexploited leading directly to the shrinkage of the Dead Sea. The Master Plan is based on shared benefits, dialogue, sustainable development, fair rights and access to the shared waters of the transboundary Lower Jordan River for all riparian communities.
Drinking water - a human right, but a long road ahead
Clean water, drinking water and water for sustainable rural development: for these three goals GNF and local partners have been engaged in projects in Africa. In 2010, the access to clean water was recognized as a Human Right by the UN. Yet, still about 769 million people live today without clean water. On the African continent needs are enormous. Rural communities are often subject to waterborne diseases and gender inequality. Women, often accompanied by children, have to walk for hours to reach a water source, usually of very poor quality. Under these circumstances, GNF and partner organizations in Cote d´Ivoire, Burundi and in Kenya have been implementing drinking water projects in villages providing local communities with safe drinking water. Furthermore, those approaches help to develop sustainable rural employment by maintaining and restoring the wells and water kiosks. In addition, these projects reduce infant mortality, support educational project and local schools and allow women to develop annex activities therefore directly encouraging the development the local economy.
Background
World Water Day has been observed as an annual event taking place on the 22nd of March. The UN and its member nations devoted this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Since its inception in 2003, the UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme and messages for the World Day for Water.
Global Nature Fund (GNF), a non-profit organization with offices in Radolfzell, Bonn and Berlin, Germany. As an international NGO, GNF is developing projects worldwide for the pro-tection of the environment and nature. In addition to the unit Water & Living Lakes, GNF implements projects in three other units of activities in Nature Conservation, Development Cooperation & Sustainability, as well as Business & Biodiversity.
Useful LinksGreen Filters:
www.globalnature.org/Greenfilter-Colombia
Jordan River:
www.globalnature.org/swim-jordan
Drinking Water:
www.globalnature.org/drinking-water-africa
Contact
Global Nature Fund (GNF) – Office Radolfzell
Udo Gattenlöhner, Executive Director
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell, Germany
Phone: +49 - (0) 77 32 - 99 95 - 80
Fax: +49 - (0) 77 32 - 99 95 - 88
E-Mail:
gattenloehner@globalnature.org
GNF Office Berlin
Dr. Alain Maasri, Head of Water and Living Lakes
Hackescher Markt 4
10178 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 - (0) 30 24 00 867 - 341
Fax: +49 - (0) 30 24 00 867 - 19
E-Mail:
maasri@globalnature.org
Web page:
www.globalnature.org