1. World Water Forum-5 Istanbul, Saturday March 21 st “Living on the Edge”

2. Overview Youth initiative: “Living on the edge” What GEMS/Water does Partnerships How you can participate

3. Young people documenting observations of water quality from shorelines of any inland water body around the world:  Wadi Environmental Science Centre, Egypt  GTZ, Brasilia for the Amazon River Youth

4. Why create a youth initiative? The world’s 263 international watersheds generate about 60% of global freshwater flow and are home to about 40% of all people. Youth know this means that many of their friends are living on the edge of a river, a lake, a stream, a wetland and other types of surface water resources. “Living on the Edge” is GEMS/Water’s Youth initiative which focuses on young people documenting observations about water quality from shorelines of any inland water body around the world.

5. Three Objectives 1. Awareness-raising: By showcasing studies so that others are inspired to do similar Encouraging youth-centred learning initiatives on water quality Learning how local water environments are linked to the global water environment

6. Three Objectives 2. Knowledge and Information: Learning about water quality in one’s own local environment so that it can be celebrated or action can be taken to mitigate changes and problems Experiences and observations can contribute to environmental assessments and reports Providing an opportunity for youth from all sectors of society to learn more about the water quality issues and the current initiatives at UNEP

7. Three Objectives 3. Communication: By showing that youth can make a difference (especially international cooperation) Connecting with schools, universities, and other learning centres which conduct water quality monitoring and science programmes, as potential data sources Providing an exchange opportunity for youth around the world to share their ideas and experiences from their respective countries and regions

8. What does GEMS/Water do? 1. A global inland water quality database and international network. 2. A leading source of data for global environmental assessment processes. 3. Technical (QA/QC) tools and resources. 4. Building the capacity of developing countries to collect and manage water quality information.

9. GEMS/Water Global Network Total stations: 3,021

14. Global Water Quality Assessments World Water Development Reports UNEP Freshwater Assessments – GEO 4 Global Biodiversity Outlook WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme Indicators and index development

15. New “Digital Atlas” Now available: Soft cover Hard cover On-line PDF

16. OpenWater Wiki

17. Building Partnerships Celebrate World Water Monitoring Day – September 18 th Data collection and desimination Water quality test kits www.worldwatermonitoringday.org

18. Building Partnerships Tools and resources for teachers and schools Educator’s Guide Field Monitoring Guide Suite of water quality test kits www.projectwet.org

19. Join in GEMS/Water 1.Partner with “Living on the Edge” 2.Help identify new data sources 3.Promote World Water Monitoring Day 4.Promote water science

20. UNEP GEMS/Water Programme Canada, Kenya sabrina.barker@gemswater.org Thank You www.gemswater.org and www.gemstat.org