WYPW in Brasilia for its 4th General Assembly
The World Youth Parliament for Water’s 4th General Assembly was the culmination of over a year of planning and organization for this global youth-led network, supported by the ISW. The participants came from over twenty countries and all six continents.
Taking place in Brasilia, during the 8th World Water Forum, the 4th General Assembly of the World Youth Parliament for Water was held over six days, at the end of which the members of the WYPW elected a new board.
Throughout the week, the members had the opportunity to take part in diverse set of workshops and panels, notably learning the power of storytelling, learning about negociating political solutions. Multiple WYPW members also intervened in a key, such as the High-Level Panel for Water and Peace, or Blue Peace talks.
Bridging the gap between youth and decision-makers, our members took in their hand, through their interventions in these events, to successfully share their knowledge and insights.
Notably, Stephanie Woodworth prompted a 200 persons strong audience to stand up, to pronounce an Anish'nabe saying that affirms the vitality of water and the common imperative to protect and share it.
Bota Sharipova had the opportunity to speak on her experience working with basin councils in Kazakhastan - through perseverance, sheer determination and the support of the Central Asian Youth Network, stemming from ISW efforts in Astana, youth now occupy a permanent seat at council meetings.
Speaking at the panel Multi-stakeholder Dialogue : Water-Energy-Food Nexus and SDGs, Lindsey Aldaco-Manner, newly elected President pronounced her closing remarks : ''Studying science at university, I learned nothing about how to communicate my ideas in a way that people can understand. I had to learn this in my own time. I ask all of you, do you want to sound smart, or do you want to reach enough people so that you can make a difference?''
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the indigenous community Santuário dos Pajé, just outside of Brasilia, that welcomed them with open arms.
As the 8th World Water Forum drew to a close, the Parliament’s young participants partnered with country delegations to issue a response to the ministerial declaration. They also launched a new platform for dialogue, Youth for Water and Peace, in cooperation with the Geneva Water Hub. The online platform aims to give the opportunity for youth, around the world, to deliver messages and perspectives on water and peace.
