Counter World Water Forum

International and local water activists will be hosting a series of events in Istanbul before and during the 5th World Water Forum. At the same time solidarity events will be held around the world during the Global Week of Actions for Water Justice from 14-22 March 2009.

International and local water activists will be hosting a series of events in Istanbul before and during the 5th World Water Forum. At the same time solidarity events will be held around the world during the Global Week of Actions for Water Justice from 14-22 March 2009. In Istanbul, water activist Maude Barlow, who is now also Senior Advisor on Water to the President of the UN General Assembly and Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, the President of the UN General Assembly, will attend both the official and 'Counter' World Water Forum events. Activists are also planning, as yet undisclosed, inside-activities for the official World Water Forum.

Events include (for an updated list see www.peopleswaterforum.org):

• 10-13 March: Water Tribunal - 4 cases to be heard
• 14-22 March: Global Week of Actions for Water Justice.
• 16 March: Official opening of the World Water Forum - activists organizing press conferences and protests against WWF
• 17-18 March: Platform workshop event at TMMOB Taksim Square office
• 17 March: Evening, Public Water Event organized by international activists - featuring UN representation and others - (unconfirmed)
• 19-20 March: Platform plenary events at MKM Congress Center
• 20-22 March: Campaign's Alternative Water Forum - Bilgi University
• 22 March: Closing of official WWF - activists will mark World Water Day by "declaring water a human right and a central component of the global commons".

See also: Anil Naidoo, eauwateragua [registration required], 10 Feb 2009