The inspiration for this International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) came from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) meeting in Sophia Antipolis in December 1989. The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) was officially established in September 1991 to assist...
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The inspiration for this International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) came from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) meeting in Sophia Antipolis in December 1989. The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) was officially established in September 1991 to assist with the implementation of the principles set forth in the Montreal Charter on Drinking Water and Sanitation adopted in Montreal in June 1990. These principles are as follows:

-Access to drinking water and sanitation is, above all, a political issue.
-All actions in this field must be conceived in support to the populations concerned.
-Water must be integrated into a global approach to development.
-All water programs must focus on education and training of the populations.
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The ISW acts in an advisory capacity, principally in developing countries, providing support and mobilizing local communities involved in the management of freshwater. It fosters a network approach, promoting interaction between the various stakeholders involved in water management. A catalyst, a...
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The ISW acts in an advisory capacity, principally in developing countries, providing support and mobilizing local communities involved in the management of freshwater. It fosters a network approach, promoting interaction between the various stakeholders involved in water management. A catalyst, a mediator and a promoter of local synergies, these are the qualities which help distinguish the ISW.

The mission of the ISW is to deploy appropriate actions to ensure that the right of access to water and sanitation for all populations, and in particular for the most disadvantaged, is recognized as a fundamental right.

The ISW accomplishes its mission through the following activities:

-Informing and educating populations.
-Strengthening the role of civil society by mobilizing local communities concerned with water management and by supporting their initiatives.
-Supporting and advising the private sector and institutions that wish to help citizens participate in their own development.
-Acting as a catalyst and mediator in developing alliances between populations, local groups, countries, international organizations.
-Playing an advocacy role for equitable access of populations to drinking water and sanitation, as well as for the equal participation of men and women in all aspects of water management.
-Promoting the exchange and use of know-how at the local level (indigenous expertise, modern technology).

The ISW offers support services in organizing and facilitating training seminars and international conferences. It also assists with the design of projects and their backing by funding agencies, as well as providing assistance with the development of communication strategies, with translation and with access to databases.




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As an initiative of the International Secretariat for Water and its network members, a World Youth Parliament for Water was convened in Quebec City from November 18th to 22nd 2002. The event brought together 80 young people between the ages of 14 to 18 from 24 countries represented by 27...
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As an initiative of the International Secretariat for Water and its network members, a World Youth Parliament for Water was convened in Quebec City from November 18th to 22nd 2002. The event brought together 80 young people between the ages of 14 to 18 from 24 countries represented by 27 delegations. Its purpose was to enable young people to reflect on the issues of water management in their home countries and around the world.

This World Youth Parliament for Water took place within the framework of preparatory activities for the International Freshwater Year 2003.

It is also part of the preparatory process leading up to the World Assembly of Wisdom for Water to be held at the Citizens House of Water and its Agora during the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto in March 2003.

The initiative fosters the participation of future generations in activities related to the conservation, protection and prudent use of one of our most precious common assets on earth: WATER. Moreover it is in keeping with an educational process on solidarity and sustainable development.



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