Voluntary Citizen or Civil Society Sector

World Water Week serves as a reminder of the impact that access to clean water can have around the globe. Water is not just a resource; it is the essence of this planet and its community. Its availability and quality can shape one's life, determining health, education, and economic development.

International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12, shines a spotlight on the vital contributions and challenges of young people worldwide. This year's theme, "From clicks to progress: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development," underscores the transformative potential of digital solutions driven by youth.

In the heart of India, amid the bustling sounds of city life and the tranquil whispers of rural landscapes, a citizen science project has been developing over the last decade.

Empowering youth in Asia-Pacific's water sector is vital for sustainable water security. Engaging young professionals brings fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and updated skills to address climate change, urbanisation, and water scarcity challenges.

UNICEF and its global partnerships platform Generation Unlimited (also known as YuWaah in India) have partnered with key organisations committed to working towards a green future for children and young people as a part of the Green Rising India Alliance (GRIA).

In times of crisis and calamity, women have repeatedly been cast, portrayed, and even studied as vulnerable groups, their agency overshadowed by societal perceptions. This characterization extends beyond disasters to encompass human-induced socio-economic upheavals too. While this narrative implies a lack of agency among women, the reality is quite different.

The Ganges and Narmada rivers, in particular, have been severely degraded as a result of India's reliance on dams for irrigation and hydropower. Despite decades of significant environmental movements opposed to dams, they largely failed because they couldn't stop the work already in progress.

Citizens, civil society practitioners, and academia have come together to launch ‘Ellara Bengaluru’, a community-driven coalition that will create initiatives to build a climate-resilient and inclusive Bengaluru city.

The Maralappanahalli community has come a long way since the formation of its Grama Parisara Abhivruddi Samiti in 2017. The livelihood basket of the 40 households here largely comprised agriculture and livestock rearing for the longest time, but the Samiti has been instrumental in helping its people learn about MGNREGS and avail it to support their livelihoods.

Northern India was battered by heavy rains over the past two weeks, with New Delhi marking its wettest day on July 9th, 2023, in more than 40 years, according to officials and local media.