World Day 2021 campaign guide

The build-up to World Water Day 2021 has begun! This year, we are starting with a digital campaign to hear what people around the world are saying about water. We need your help to spark conversations among your networks. Thank you for playing your part.

What is World Water Day?

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.

What is the aim of World Water Day?

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and achieving Goal 6: water and for all by 2030.

Who organizes World Water Day?

Every year, UN-Water — the UN’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation — sets the theme for World Water Day.

What is World Water Day 2021 all about?

The theme of World Water Day 2021 is valuing water. Beyond the issues of pricing, this topic includes the environmental, social and cultural value people place on water. For instance, in daily life, water can mean health, , dignity and productivity. In cultural, religious and spiritual places, water can mean a connection with creation or community. And in natural spaces, water can mean peace and preservation. Water means different things to different people in different settings.

What is the purpose of the digital campaign?

Taking place on social media, from now until the end of December, the digital campaign aims to generate conversations – to gather as many opinions and comments from people around the world about water and what it means to them. The aim is to understand how people value water – whether it is economically, socially, culturally or in other ways – how it plays a role in their lives, how important it is to them and what their hopes and concerns are for these services, which are basic human rights.

Who is taking part?

A wide range of people in UN agencies, public and private sector, civil society and governments are using this guide to engage their networks on social media as part of this campaign. Please join us and speak to your audiences about how they value water.

How will these conversations be used?

A summary of the messages and comments from citizens will be collated and used to inform a report about the importance of water. Citizens’ voices will then be presented to decision-makers at a series of water events in 2021, giving an unprecedented insight into the public impact of water and sanitation policy.

What do I need to do?

Everyone is invited to share their views on social media using the hashtag #Water2me. Please use the campaign resources available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and adapt the editable files as you wish.

The only critical thing is that you and your participants tag every post with #Water2me

You can find a simple guide on the World Water Day website. Or, you can go to the Trello board to directly access the social media resources.