World Water Weekend Virtual Summit
March 20-22, 2021
*Please note that we are still confirming our moderators and panel members. Watch for weekly updates.
Pandemic and Possibilities
There have been many lessons learned at Youth for Global Health (Y4GH) about maintaining stability during tough times, and though like most other nonprofits, we have never experienced anything like COVID-19. We do not have everything figured out yet, but one of the actions we are taking during the pandemic is continuing our advocacy by changing Walk Around the World for Water to a virtual event without sacrificing the quality of information or its presenters. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the value of water and its connections to human health, but it has also highlighted longstanding water management deficiencies and inequities.
There have been many lessons learned at Youth for Global Health (Y4GH) about maintaining stability during tough times, and though like most other nonprofits, we have never experienced anything like COVID-19. We do not have everything figured out yet, but one of the actions we are taking during the pandemic is continuing our advocacy by changing Walk Around the World for Water to a virtual event without sacrificing the quality of information or its presenters. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the value of water and its connections to human health, but it has also highlighted longstanding water management deficiencies and inequities.
About the Conference
Vision
A world where there is sustainable use and access to safe water and sanitation for all.
Mission
To create an event that empowers and unites people and communities to advocate for clean water and sanitation.
Goals
- Identify a target advocacy network to promote WAWW
- Organize workshops that educate advocates on all aspects of water, including water health and infrastructure
- Recruit 2,500 water advocates from around the world, with a strong focus on high school and college students, to participate in the virtual conference.
- Develop a tool to measure the impact of WAWW
Virtual Sessions
Each session includes a moderator and four panel members. The virtual audience primarily consists of high school and college students from around the world. The chat will be open for young people to ask questions.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 10 a.m.
Title: Youth for Global Health & Social Justice-An Introduction
Moderator: Dr. Sheryl Simmons, USA
Founder/President
Youth for Global Health & Social Justice
A series of interviews from current and past students, volunteers, and staff about their Y4GH experience, will be presented in a 50-minute video narrated by Dr. Sheryl Simmons.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 11 a.m.
Title: Diversity Among Us – A Critical Conversation
Moderator: Thomas Schultz-Jagow, London, United Kingdom
Public Engagement and Growth
Amnesty International
In this session we acknowledge the complexity and multitude of diverse issues and that we do not have all the answers. To guide us along our journey, these speakers offer their own unique perspectives on various issues surrounding diversity. The speakers will challenge us to think more broadly while helping us to commit to lifelong learning and activism
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 12 p.m.
Title: The Politics of Water Part I (National)
Moderator: Jamal Simmons, Washington, DC, USA
Contributor MSNBC, CNN, and Political Analyst National Democratic Party
Flint’s drinking water crisis has brought renewed and needed attention to the importance of safe drinking water in the United States. The aim of this session is to explicitly draw out the role of policy, and specifically rationalized policy, in incentivizing and allowing mistakes and decisions that most directly led to the Flint water crisis.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 12 p.m.
Title: COVID Impact on Youth Serving Organizations
Moderator: Reta Stanley, Flint, Michigan, USA
President/CEO
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Our kids need caring parents, in addition to, family, caregivers, and other concerned adults, in all aspects of their lives. The network of caring relies on a web of youth-serving organizations which have been working tirelessly to continue to carry out their missions over these past trying months. While the pandemic has put tremendous strain on these organizations and connections, this panel will discuss their resilience.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 1 p.m.
The Politics of Water Part II (International)
Moderator: Jamal Simmons, Washington D.C., USA
Contributor MSNBC, CNN, and Political Analyst National Democratic Party
Water security has become a central feature of the global policy agenda. Climate change, population growth, and pollution are altering the distribution of water resources and the political control of these resources is becoming increasingly contested. These and other water security threats are a source of conflict not only within countries but across international boundaries. A diverse group of water advocates will discuss how and whether water management issues are addressed.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 1 p.m.
Title: “The Future of Healthcare Beyond COVID-19”
Moderator: Dr Patrick Amoth, Nairobi, Kenya
2nd Vice Chair,
World Health Organization
COVID-19 brings both short- and long-term implications and has put us all on the proverbial “burning platform.” We have taken many leaps thought impossible and have accelerated innovation at an unprecedented pace. While the pandemic will eventually end, new programs and processes will survive long after — some out of necessity, others because of the value they have demonstrated. This panel of advanced practice nurses will give their view of the landscape ahead.
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 2 p.m.
Title: How is COVID-19 Deepening the Education Crisis for Children in Poverty
Moderator: Irina Bokova, Sofia, Bulgaria
Former Director General UNESCO
Providing children with critical resources to thrive and create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world, taking away school also means taking away safe places where children can play with friends, and have meals and access health services, including services for their mental health. Teachers are often front-line responders and protectors for children who might suffer from abuse at home. With school closures, these safeguards fall away. How do leaders in education commit to restoring the lives and the futures of children affected by this disaster?
Date: 3-20-21 Time: 2 p.m.
Title: Water and Climate Change
Moderator: TBD
Water in its various forms is always on the move, in a complex process known as the water cycle. Global warming is already having a measurable effect on this cycle, altering the amount, distribution, timing, and quality of available water. This panel will discuss the impact of climate change and our responsibilities as global citizens.
Date: 3-21-21 Time 1 p.m.
Title: Church in the Community-Redeeming the Time
Moderator: Nelson Henry-Detroit, Michigan, USA
Pastor/Educator/Author
The American church has proved it can fill its seats, but can it transform the communities around it? This interfaith panel discussion asks the question “ Is your church defined by the Sunday-centric, attractional model of ministry, or do you Pastor the community, not simply the church?”
Date: 3-21-21 Time: 2 p.m.
Title: Our Water, Our Voice
Moderator: Angela Harris-Michigan, USA
National Youth Coordinator
Youth for Global Health & Social Justice
High school and college students who attended at least two sessions of the virtual conference will have open dialogue about their conference experience and what they would like to see in future sessions.
Date: 3-22-21 Time: 1 p.m.
Title: Down by the Riverside
Closing Ceremony
(With approval from the City of Flint) High school and college students will line the Flint River for closing remarks. COVID guidelines will be strictly enforced.