Title: Global Water Education Village™
Date: March 16-22, 2009
Location: 5th World Water Forum, Feshane Facility, Istanbul, Turkey
Led by: Project WET Foundation

Purpose and components

The Global Water Education Village’s purpose was to gather global water education programs in a village setting to share successful local actions aimed at reaching children with water education. The Village was a place where Forum participants:

• interacted with experts in children's water education.
• observed and participated in a variety of educational programs, including some of Project WET's most popular and effective activities.

The Global Water Education Village included a Water School for participants to observe water managers and professionals using Project WET activities with Istanbul’s teachers and students. Organizations participating in the Village demonstrated and discussed their water education efforts with adult colleagues, while the Water School reinforced these efforts by showing how Project WET's activities are used with children.

This combination of activities helped demonstrate the effectiveness of this type of education, thereby building the capacity of water professionals to reach children, parents, teachers, schools and communities.

How is this unique?

At previous World Water Forums, the education of children was identified as critically important in our water-management future. But educating children takes more than decrees and official statements. It takes:

• funds to support programs.
• excellent education materials for teachers and children
• training for instructors.
• a long-term commitment for water leaders, agencies, and professionals to support local water education efforts.

What did participants gain? 
Forum participants learned how complex issues can be taught through fun, interactive activities.

Water School participants learned about important water topics, such as:

• watershed protection.
• water quality and health.
• the hydrologic cycle.