Find speakers by:
Request more info

Happy World Water Day!

Happy World Water Day!

The United Nation’s World Water Day is held annually–every March 22–as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

At Speakers’ Spotlight, we are fortunate to represent many of the world’s most prominent water advocates, from Maude Barlow, who chairs the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, to Scott Harrison, the founder of charity: water, an innovative and successful non-profit that brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

In fact, the photo above is courtesy of charity: water. Right now, charity: water is raising awareness about the water crisis by setting up a “Waterwalk” in Times Square. Millions of people around the world walk hours each day to collect dirty water, so they are asking people to walk a fraction of the distance to experience it for themselves. If you’re in New York City today, go check it out. You can also watch a great video that highlights a creative way charity: water is encouraging people to get involved.

Read on for more examples of some of the stunning water-advocacy work that is being accomplished by our extraordinary speakers:

Maude Barlow
Social Justice Advocate | Author

Maude Barlow is a leading voice in Canada and around the world for social, environmental, and economic justice. A political activist, policy critic, and author, Barlow chairs the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, an organization that ensures the food, water, and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. The group helps people take charge of where their food comes from; keeps clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes; protects the environmental quality of oceans; forces governments to do their job protecting citizens; and educates about the importance of keeping the global commons—our shared resources—under public control…..Read More….

 

Scott Harrison
Founder and CEO of charity: water

charity: water is one of the most successful non-profits in the world. Founded by Scott Harrison to help address the lack of unsafe water for more than 800 million people around the world, the organization brings clean and safe drinking water to those who need it. In just over six years, with the help of more than 400,000 donors worldwide, charity: water has raised over $93 million and funded over eight thousand water projects in 21 countries. When completed, those projects will provide over 3.2 million people with clean, safe drinking water….Read More….

Peter Thum
Founder of Ethos Water | Humanitarian | Social Entrepreneur

Clean drinking water is something most of us take for granted. But not Peter Thum. Having witnessed people struggle to obtain clean water around the world, he resolved to do something about it and thus, Ethos Water was born. Leading the global charity for five years until its acquisition by Starbucks in 2005, Thum’s organization raised over six million dollars in aid and helped over 420,000 people. Thum has since founded givingwater.org, which helps people in need  gain access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education and builds support for this movement overall…..Read More.

Ray Zahab
Ultra-marathon Runner and Adventurer

Ray Zahab is motivated by challenge, distance, and discovery. The winner of some of the world’s most difficult and challenging ultra-distance foot races, he is the founder of impossible2Possible, an organization that inspires and educates youth through adventure learning. He is also a proud member of the board of The Ryan’s Well Foundation, which grew from the commitment of one boy, Ryan Hreljac, who learned of the great need for clean and safe water in developing countries in his 1st grade class. With the support of friends, family and the community, Ryan raised enough money to build a well in Africa. In 1999, at age seven, Ryan’s first well was built at Angolo Primary School in northern Uganda. Since then, Ryan’s Well has helped build over 720 wells and 910 latrines, bringing safe water and improved sanitation to over 760,500 people….Read More….