Sustainable water management is a sociopolitical issue – and the media can play an important role. They convey information and knowledge, which contribute to educating and sensitising the general public. But they can also serve as watchdogs by bringing attention to problems and holding those responsible accountable.
The media have an important role in taking the voices of people and civil society to governments. The role of the media may be to raise the volume - shock and inspire, educate and inform. Make politicians and water planners more in touch with ordinary people; those who face the daily challenges.
The role of the media and communicators as information multipliers is paramount to public advocacy and awareness-raising.
The UN-Water Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC) supporting the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life 2005-2015’, aims at sustaining global attention and political momentum in favour of the water and sanitation agenda at all levels. One of the Office’s main lines of work is media activities, mainly through media workshops and engaging the media in reflecting on their role in water governance.
Are you a journalist with an interest in the biggest challenges facing the world today? UN-Water would like you to apply for the media and communicators sessions which will take place at the UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference in Zaragoza, Spain. The conference will provide an opportunity for media and communicators to discuss the challenges of the post-2015 water agenda with policy makers from all over the world, network, meet and interview internationally recognized figures with stories to share and take part in the UN international conference.
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene issues are at the core of sustainable development as they are closely linked to a number of key global challenges such as energy, food security, biodiversity, climate change, among others. Creating awareness and earning commitment from decision-makers for these issues (including cooperation, scarcity, pollution, disasters, etc.) is vital if we are to influence policies and practices that affect the lives of millions – particularly the disadvantaged. Media and communicators play a vital role in informing, communicating and advocating these issues.
The media and communicators sessions at the 2015 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference aim to move the water and sustainability communication agenda forward and better position the issues during the post-2015 period.
The media plays an important role in influencing public opinion, attitudes, and actions. Politicians recognize that the media is an arena for advocacy that can shape and influence policies. This session will reflect on the role of media in communicating water, sanitation and hygiene issues: What interests the media? How is the new media environment influencing the communication process? What are the main sources of information the media uses? What are the main challenges in the communication process? What are public perceptions and how are they influenced by the media? What are the main capacity-building needs? What are the main media networks on these issues?
UN agencies and programmes, NGOs, Governments, etc. organize communication campaigns to address specific issues. During this session, they will discuss different issues including: Who is doing what? What topics are covered? And uncovered? What works, what doesn't? Main lessons learned? What are the new communication challenges for the post-2015 development agenda? etc.
>> Technical visit: La Cartuja
>> Technical visit: The Ebro River Basin Authority and its Automatic System for Hydrologic Information (SAIH)
>> Technical visit: Expo + Water Park
>> New sources: Wastewater reuse
>> Local level actions in decentralized water solidarity towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
>> Water Footprint Assessment
>> Technological advances and Water Policy
>> Cultivando Agua Boa Programme
>> CODIA and water and energy in LAC
>> The fulfillment of the human right to water and sanitation
>> Conference daily
>> Conference Communications Report
>> Discussion forum
>> Information briefs on Water and Sustainable Development
>> Interviewing conference participants
>> Overview Papers
>> Presentations from participants
>> Session Reports
>> Tool Papers
>> Twitter Activity Report
>> Video recording of sessions
>> Video interviews with conference participants