Table of content
Editor's note
Feature Story
Water Justice and Europe’s Right2Water Movement
Global updates- WCC advocates for creation care and justice at start of triple COP journey
- A theme of Peace with Nature at the Biodiversity COP16, in Cali, Colombia
- Solidarity for a Green World: the focus of Climate COP29, in Baku Azerbaijan
- WCC advocates for faith-based solutions for land restoration at the Desertification COP16
- World Toilet Day 2024: Churches lead the call for dignified sanitation
Regional updates- Africa: a faith-based roadmap to climate justice
- El Salvador: Large peaceful protests pressure the government to invest in clean water, electricity, roads, schools, and clinics.
- In Belgium, the Future Generations Conference 2024: Shaping tomorrow today
Stories of Change- In South Africa: Mothers’ Union celebrates World Water Day
- Capturing Water: Film showing and discussion by the Water Integrity Network
- World Water Day 2025: Glacier Preservation
- Seven Weeks for Water 2025
- Low-cost water technology: Nano Aid for purified water
- Nutrition4Growth, Paris, March 2025
A prayer for water
Upcoming- Water Tenure Expert Group
- Citizen Science 4 Water (CS4Water) Conference: 3-5 June 2025 in Delft, the Netherlands
- World Water Week 2025: Water for Climate Action: 24-28 August 2025
- World Hunger Day, 28 May 2025
- UN Water Conference, 2-4 December 2026
Recommended resources
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Dear Readers,
We have just finished celebrating the Lenten Season, which culminated in the celebration of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The beginning of March 2025 was also marked by the launch of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Seven Weeks for Water campaign, focusing this year on the preservation of our world's glaciers, aligned with the 2025 World Water Day theme "Glacier Preservation.”
As we enter May, our community joins millions of Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His leadership and passionate advocacy for positive reform within the church, inclusion of diversity, his dedication to serving the most vulnerable, and speaking out on the climate crisis through his most popular encyclical, Laudato Si’ will always be remembered and cherished. We honour his legacy as we continue our mission for world peace and justice for all. We also welcome the new Pope Leo XIV, and hope he will continue the legacy of Pope Francis.
In this water justice newsletter, we will highlight some key events from the last trimester of 2024, notably the WCC's participation in the triple COPs and in World Toilet Day 2024, as well as events coming up in 2025. The WCC has taken a new commitment in terms of advocating for climate change and climate justice, notably focusing on a nexus approach, focusing on uniting issues surrounding land, water, and food and how they are impacted by climate change. The EWN will still mainly focus on water issues but will also include topics on land and food when relevant. The WCC has also recently published a new publication called the “Living Planet Monitor” which aims to monitor our commitment to sustainable food systems, conservation of land, ecological biodiversity, and water justice. The first issue focuses on Southern Africa. Since both publications are done by the same programme of WCC—Land, Water, and Food—we have reduced the frequency of this newsletter.
In this newsletter, we bring forward advocacy efforts for equitable access to water for all communities from various regions, reminding us of the power of collective action. Our feature story presents the accomplishments of the Right2Water movement, which has mobilized communities to advocate for equitable water access, leading to successful policy changes in several European countries, as well as blatant inequalities and lack of government action that still need to be addressed.
We are pleased to share that the Ecumenical Water Network is developing into the Ecumenical Advocacy Network, broadening our scope while maintaining our core focus on water justice. Additionally, we would like to highlight the important work of the Life-Peace-Movement and their collaborative efforts with our network.
We extend our warmest greetings and blessings during this spring season and hope 2025 will show progress towards a more just and equitable world for all.
Thank you for being part of our water justice journey.
In gratitude and solidarity,
Dinesh,
Editor, Together for Water
WCC Ecumenical Water Network
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 | South Darfur, Bilel IDP Camp. WASH activities including the solar panel and steel elevated water tank. The WASH team demonstrates the chlorination process.
Credit: ACT/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah, October 2012 |
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Water Justice and Europe’s Right2Water Movement
In 2013 the European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI) “Right2Water” collected 1.9 million signatures across Europe against water privatization. The WCC Ecumenical Water Network supported and promoted it in its constituencies. It became the first ever successful ECI and has built a Europe-wide movement. Right2Water sought Europe’s legal enforcement of the human right to water and sanitation as a strategic political tool to challenge European Union market policies. Although the European Commission subscribed that “water is a public good, not a commodity,” its implementation is subject to continuing political and socio-political struggle, with growing urgency in times of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Dr Jerry van der Berge, who was at the forefront of this movement, went on to use his experience with the Right2Water movement for his doctoral dissertation.
Read the full article written by Jerry van der Berge and colleagues, published in the International Journal of Water Resources Development
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 | Credit: Markus Spiske
WCC advocates for creation care and justice at start of triple COP journey
Throughout the last trimester of 2024, from October to December, the WCC advocated for a holistic approach to environmental stewardship during three major international conferences: the Biodiversity COP16, the Climate COP29, and the Desertification COP16.
Rooted in faith and guided by care for creation, the WCC called for integrated policies to address the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation while amplifying the voice of Indigenous peoples and vulnerable communities.
Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, highlighted the connection between biodiversity conservation and climate action: “Our faith drives us to advocate for biodiversity justice not only as a crucial part of climate resilience, but as a sacred duty to preserve God’s creation. Indigenous knowledge and community-based stewardship are invaluable resources in this journey.”
Read more
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 | A theme of Peace with Nature at the Biodiversity COP16, in Cali, Colombia
Biodiversity COP16 held 21 October to 1 November, in Cali, Colombia, reviewed the Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, and aligned national targets within this framework.
The WCC, ACT Alliance, and Lutheran World Federation took the opportunity to issue a joint call for action for biodiversity. The call to action recognizes that biodiversity loss worldwide has reached alarming levels, driven by human action and exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
“We understand the urgent need to act in the face of the climate crisis that is devastating our ecosystems,” reads the text. “We believe that promoting just relationships requires ethical and constructive dialogue between the natural, social, and theological sciences, as well as traditional knowledge and wisdom.”
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 | Solidarity for a Green World: the focus of Climate COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan
COP29 on Climate Change, held 11-22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, focused on finance aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change.
The WCC brought a strong moral voice to COP29: championing justice-centered climate action, calling for meaningful climate finance, the protection for communities most affected by climate change, and a swift transition away from fossil fuels.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary, emphasized the ethical urgency of the moment: “As people of faith, we believe addressing the climate crisis is not only a scientific necessity bu a profound moral obligation rooted in Christian values of justice and compassion. We urge developed nations to lead by example, recognizing their historic responsibility and supporting a global response that meets the needs of the most vulnerable, honouring God’s creation and upholding our commitment to care for each other.”
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 | WCC advocates for faith-based solutions for land restoration at the Desertification COP16
For the first time, the WCC participated as an accredited organization at the COP16 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which took place 2-13 December 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The conference highlighted efforts to restore land and enhance drought resilience. The event featured the first-ever public-access “Green Zone” and the Faith Pavilion, co-hosted by the WCC, Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa, and Brahma Kumaris, showcasing the vital role of faith communities in environmental action.
During the conference, Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food, shared the WCC’s stance on land issues and introduced the Living Planet Monitor publication, which aims to track progress towards sustainable food systems, land conservation, and water justice across the world.
Read more
The Living Planet Monitor Publication |
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 | World Toilet Day 2024: Churches lead the call for dignified sanitation
On 19 November 2024, World Toilet Day focused on “Sanitation for Peace,” which aimed to highlight the significance of clean toilets and sanitation systems in fostering a more equitable healthy and peaceful global community.
The Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Water Network and Norwegian Church Aid, hosted a hybrid workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, to mark World Toilet Day 2024. The event, themed “Toilets—A Place for Peace,” highlighted sanitation's vital role in promoting health, dignity, and harmony across communities.
Participants from Switzerland, Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria engaged in discussions addressing practical strategies for managing toilet waste, making sanitation infrastructure affordable, and fostering collaborations between governments, nongovernmental organizations, and faith-based organizations.
The event concluded with an urgent call to action. Faith-based organizations were encouraged to lead by example and improve their sanitation facilities. Stakeholders were urged to advocate for sustainable sanitation practices.
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 | Photo: Participants of the Climate Justice Forum meeting in Tanzania, joined by ELCT Bishop Fredrik Shoo (center). Credit: ELCT
Africa: a faith-based roadmap to climate justice
To create a faith-based climate action plan, young climate advocates from African Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches gathered in Moshi, Tanzania in September 2024. LWF regional secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Dawai underlined the importance of amplifying activist voices and addressing the urgent climate emergency, supported by data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which signal the deteriorating effects on water sources, food systems, ecosystems, and human health.
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 | Credit: Faith in Action International, 2023
El Salvador: Large peaceful protests pressure government to invest in clean water, electricity, roads, schools, and clinics
The Communities of Faith Organising for Action has actively been working with 136 communities, spread over 12 departments, in El Salvador, to help increase access to potable water and other basic infrastructure. Campaigns for water systems have lately proved successful in places like Caserío Veracruz in La Libertad and Los Planes y San Silvestre in Chalatenango.
The campaign has successfully put pressure on the government to boost public expenditure on clean water, schools, and electrical infrastructure.
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 | Credit: Vincent M.A. Janssen
In Belgium, the Future Generations Conference 2024: Shaping tomorrow today
Over the course of 2024, the Jesuit European Social Centre has taken significant strides in promoting water conservation and ecological advocacy. A highlight of their efforts was the Future Generations Conference held on 3 October in Brussels, Belgium, at Université Catholique de Louvain. This event focused on intergenerational justice and sustainability, weaving in vital discussions on water conservation and the need for broader ecological policies.
Their work forms part of a larger commitment to addressing environmental issues by fostering conservation and ethical stewardship of natural resources.
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In South Africa : Mother’s Union celebrates World Water Day
This March was filled with grand celebrations and water awareness activities across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, as the Mother’s Union Diocesan Eco-Champs actively observed World Water Day. Through various events, they emphasized the importance of water conservation and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
The Mother’s Union members conducted Water Month awareness activities with Sunday school children, instilling knowledge and encouraging young learners to take responsibility for protecting water resources. World Water Day on 23 March was marked by putting forward a “Saving a Drop of Water” awareness campaign at the Parish of St Augustine in Zeerust.
To conclude the celebrations, they took to the streets for a traditional procession of witness, carrying placards with water conservation messages.
Read more
Photo: Bino Teboho Makhalanyane , Green Anglicans, 2025 |
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Capturing Water: Film showing and discussion by the Water Integrity Network
On the 25 March, at the Kino der Kulturbauerei in Berlin, Germany, the film “Capturing Water” was shown and discussed by a captivated audience.
Capturing Water brings fresh insights into water activism and hope from Cape Town, South Africa. A lesson for water activists everywhere facing major climate-related ravages in their cities, the film shows the human realities of water scarcity and the decisions and empty promises that lead to day zero scenarios. Capturing Water introduces different activists as they work tirelessly for their communities' rights to water and life: a working class activist mobilising against water cut-offs without the dignity of discussion, an activist farmer litigating to stop city plans to cement over an aquifer that provides affordable food to thousands of people, and a suburban activist tirelessly engaging the city to stop sewage flowing into life-giving wetlands.
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World Water Day 2025: Glacier Preservation
The United Nations World Water Day is held on 22 March each year. In 2025 its focus was on the theme “Glacier Preservation.” The day commemorates the 2.2 billion people around the world who do not have access to clean water, with the hopes of ending the world's water shortage and advancing SDG 6.
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Seven Weeks for Water 2025
During Lent 2025, various activities around the Seven Weeks for Water took place online and in person. Short biblical-theological reflections and resources on the water and peace-related issues written by several prominent theologians and church leaders from around the world were available in different languages. These Lenten reflections focused on the theme of the World Water Day (22 March) - "Glacier Preservation." They were published here on the WCC-EWN page and distributed through the WCC platforms, encouraging WCC member churches to use these resources during the Lenten period.
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Low-cost water technology: Nano Aid for purified water
The United Nations World Water Day is held on 22 March each year. In 2025 its focus was on the theme “Glacier Preservation.” The day commemorates the 2.2 billion people around the world who do not have access to clean water, with the hopes of ending the world's water shortage and advancing SDG 6.
Read More
Photo by Noun Nammungkhun |
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Nutrition4Growth Summit, Paris, March 2025
The Nutrition4Growth Summit was held in Paris in March 2025, involving governments from 106 countries, numerous international organisations, civil society organisations, research institutions, and the private sector. A record $27.55 billion to end malnutrition was raised, with more than 400 entries in the Nutrition Accountability Framework Platform. The WCC participated in a side-event at the conference alongside World Vision. You may read more about the event here.
Bread for the World also hosted an event focusing on “Hunger Hotspots and Child Nutrition” in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad. The event gave us glimpses of everyday life in hunger hotspot countries—and the work that continues, behind the headlines, to help families rebuild their lives. You may read more about the event thanks to their report: “The Case for Ending Global Child Hunger”.
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O Divine Source and Sustainer, You who are water and the wellspring of all waters, we come before You in reverence and awe, knowing that from Your depths flows the gift of life.
You are the rivers that carve mountains, the springs that fill our wells, the rain that nourishes the earth, and the depths of the ocean that hold the secrets of creation.
May this land and all dry places receive Your blessings.
Let Your mild rains refresh and renew the earth, bring to life the seeds in the soil, and bless the farmers with an abundance of harvests.
The waters You have given us are precious; grant us the wisdom to preserve them, to treat each drop as a gift. May our efforts to preserve this precious gift be blessed.
May we keep the waterways, lakes, and rains safe, and may we treat every drop as a sacred treasure. Like love and breath, water binds us to this sacred cycle. May we never forget this.
O Most Merciful and Just One, touch those in authority, That they may perceive the unfairness in withholding water and embrace just policies, That no community goes thirsty and no child's mouth left dry.
May we be empowered to advocate for those who are parched and to strive for a society where everyone can access clean water without fear of persecution.
Oh Holy Water, we ask You to cleanse our hearts and minds as You renew our spirits, that we may serve as good stewards of Your bounty, in perfect harmony with all that You have made, for the benefit of every living thing, now and forever.
Amen.
~Rev. Jackline Makena Mutuma |
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Water Tenure Expert Group
The WCC-EWN is a member of the FAO Water Tenure Expert Group, a coalition dedicated to strengthening secure and equitable access to water resources for all legitimate users. Through dialogue and action, the group works to promote the responsible governance of water tenure. On 27-28 May, the expert group is meeting in person at the FAO, Rome, represented by WCC EWN coordinator, Dinesh Suna.
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Citizen Science 4 Water (CS4Water) Conference: 3-5 June 2025 in Delft, Netherlands
The Institute for Water Education (under the auspices of UNESCO), will bring together water and citizen science professionals from around the world to discuss freshwater systems, participate in interactive workshops, and learn about cutting-edge research at this inaugural CS4Water conference.
The CS4Water conference aims to promote collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and sustainable solutions for freshwater monitoring and management
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World Water Week 2025: Water for Climate Action: 24-28 August 2025
This is a unique gathering for research, business, and civil society. World Water Week helps to shape policies and knowledge in the areas of water and climate. The weeklong event revolves on a particular theme and offers participants an opportunity to engage and contribute various multiple perspectives on the critical role water plays in solving global problems. "Water for Climate Action" will be the theme for 2025 and will be hosted by SIWI on 24-28 August.
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World Hunger Day 2025
The theme for this year’s World Hunger Day is “Sowing Resilience,” focusing on the impacts of climate change and intensified weather events on agriculture production, adequate nutrition, and affordability of healthy diets. The WCC will cohost a webinar with World Vision International and Caritas International for this event on 3 June 2025. [1] You may register using the following link.
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World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025
On 4 June 2025, at 15:00 (CEST), a joint webinar by the World Council of Churches (WCC), Norwegian Church Aid, and Partnerships for Religion and Development will address menstrual hygiene as a critical issue affecting millions of women and girls worldwide. This urgent event aims to break taboos, end stigma, and promote good practices for menstrual hygiene while building awareness within faith-based organisations and churches.You may register using the following link.
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UN Water Conference, 2-4 December 2026
The UN in New York hosted a Water Conference in March 2023 in which the WCC Ecumenical Water Network participated. A water justice manifesto was also presented at the high-level panel of the conference by civil society organisations.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation is an essential end in itself and is also critical to progress on the 2030 Agenda as a whole. As we enter the final five years of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, the world must surge investment, innovation, political will, and a spirit of solidarity into SDG 6. The 2026 United Nations Water Conference, cohosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, and convened in UAE 2-4 December 2026, will bring this spirit of solidarity to life and help to build a water-secure future for all.
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