Introducing Written in Water: Issues around Access in India and Bangladesh
March 28th, 2017
Join us on Tuesday, March 28th to learn more about access to clean water and sanitation in India and Bangladesh, in conversation with the Founder and Executive Director of Water1st International, Marla Smith-Nilson. This program will mark the beginning of our Global Classroom's 2017 book club--but all are welcome to join us in order to learn more about water crises worldwide.
We take for granted that water is the foundation of life: our world doesn’t stand a chance without it. Access to clean, safe water for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture is scarce in so many places around the world—and this fact has consequences that impact us all. Our book club explores the geographical, economic, social, and political dimensions of the worldwide water crisis, and challenges teachers to take on one of the most pressing issues of our time with their young students.
On Tuesday, March 28th, we will focus on Bill McKibben's chapter from Written in Water, title 'A World That Works.' Bill McKibben, author, educator, environmentalist, and co-founder of 350.org, has prepared a video introduction. In it, Bill will introduce his background and interests in concerns around water and climate change, and his work in India, where the chapter is set.
We will also be joined by Marla Smith-Nilson, Founder and Executive of Water1st International. Marla will lead a conversation around Water1st’s groundbreaking work in facilitating clean water access in India and Bangladesh.
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Marla Smith-Nilson, Founder and Executive Director, Water1st International
A respected leader in the water sector, Marla is a civil engineer who brings 25 years of hands-on field experience with water supply and sanitation projects in developing countries. Prior to founding Water 1st, she was a Co-Founder and Director at WaterPartners International (now water.org). From 1992-2005, Marla oversaw the evaluation and monitoring of all aspects of WaterPartners-supported partner organizations and community water projects in developing countries. In her career, she has overseen the implementation of over 200 community water projects in Latin America, Asia and Africa benefiting 200,000 people.
Marla has remained steadfast to her mission to advocate for and support effective international development—supporting local, long-lasting solutions to the water and sanitation crisis—the first step out of poverty toward transformation. She is an expert in identifying and partnering with on-the-ground implementing organizations and has a unique ability to communicate the world water crisis and the stories of our project beneficiaries and inspire us to take action in effective ways.