#WorldWaterDay2024 | #WaterForPeace

A slide from Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne’s Keynote Address.

THE OUTCOME OF THE 2024 WORLD WATER DAY INTL. PANEL ON “THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER, AGRICULTURE & FOOD: WATERFORPEACE”

Concept
Opening Remarks of the session by Prof. Olcay Ünver

[LMGlobal.Org] The 2024 World Water Day international panel (virtual) of The Light Millennium Global Organization titled, “The Future of Sustainability of Water, Agriculture & Food: WaterForPeace”  was successfully delivered on March 24, 2024, as the fourth annual program on the #WorldWaterDay of the Organization since 2021. Welcoming Remarks made by Bircan Ünver, who also moderated the program. In this line, Bircan thanked Prof. Olcay Ünver, for encouraging, supporting, and being an adviser of the organization’s water-related programs since the beginning. 

The program opened with a piano piece by Shubert, “Singing in the Water”, performed by Korkmaz Can Saglam.

Opening Remarks of the session delivered by Prof. Olcay Ünver, Arizona State University; Former Vice-Chair, UN-Water, and Member, Water Policy Group

A comprehensive discussion took place on the significance of water conservation and sustainability, with esteemed speakers including Professor Olcay from Arizona State University, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne from Sri Lanka, Prof. Yang Jianchu from China, Prof. RM Narayanan from India, Dr. Dahlia Sabri from Egypt, and M. Toprak Cilizlar from Türkiye. The discussion focused on the interconnectedness of water with various sectors, its role in fostering peace and cooperation, and the need to ensure water security for a more sustainable and compassionate world. The conversation ended with the recognition that water is a bridge that connects us all.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PANEL

Water Management Challenges and Solutions

In his keynote address, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne from Sri Lanka, shared his reflections on water management, its cultural significance, and the efforts of the Sarvodaya Movement in increasing access to safe drinking water. He also discussed the challenges of climate change, pollution, and economic growth on water resources and highlighted the importance of community participation, education, and cooperation in managing water sustainably. Further, Dr. Ariyaratne pointed out Sri Lanka’s struggles in particular, during nearly 30 years of civil war in the country, which ended in 2009. Via his organization Sarvodaya Movement’s water-related programs, Dr. Ariyaratne exhibited working hand-in-hand with the local communities and volunteers, which provided an example of a solution that summarized it with the following motto: Sharing and Caring.

India’s Water Scarcity and Conservation Challenges
Prof. Dr. R.E. Narayanan discussed the growing issue of water scarcity in India, emphasizing the need for efficient water management and conservation due to a declining water table, contaminated groundwater, and increasing water demand. He highlighted the high water consumption in various sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and domestic usage, and underscored the importance of preserving water for future generations. Narayanan identified the main causes of India’s water crisis, including delayed monsoons, mismanagement of water demand and supply, and overexploitation of water resources. 

Huzhou City, Water Conservation, and Mulberry Trees
Prof. Yang Jianchu focused on the importance of managing and conserving water resources, and the historical and geographical aspects of Huzhou City. Prof. Jianchu touched on ecological agriculture, water management, and the use of mulberry trees, assigning tasks to participants and emphasizing the need for respecting and harmonizing with nature. Prof. Jianchu emphasized the inclusion of the Mulberry Fish Pond system in Huzhou in the global important agriculture heritage systems by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the protection and promotion of the Logan Water Conservancy Heritage in Taipei Lake. 

Global Water Crisis and Nile Basin Initiative
Dr. Dahlia Sabri presented about the global water crisis, specifically focusing on the case of Egypt and the Nile Basin to increase awareness of the critical issues facing water resources in the region. Dr. Sabri illustrated the Nile Basin Initiative, an initiative developed to resolve conflicts and promote cooperation among the countries involved. Her presentation ended with a focus on the need for a shared water vision, the integration of various aspects of water management, and the importance of utilizing existing resources and investments in the areas of water, agriculture, and peace.

Solar Decathlon Europe Competition and Water Management Discussion
M. Toprak Cılızlar presented his team’s Deeply High Project, which participated in the 2022 Solar Decathlon Europe competition. His team projects focused on and prioritized the reuse of water and cleaning of water for all aspects of residential life. Mr. Cilizlar also talked about his team’s design concept which was based on an existing building, with a particular focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness, and the team’s objective was to make the building more sustainable and eco-friendly.

The 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing, and Innovation Awards
Bircan briefly introduced the Guidelines of the LMGlobal.Org’s 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing & Innovation Awards for International High School Students, in which, all categories are dedicated to the #WaterActionDecade (2018-2028), and to be presented during the week of World Water Day in March 2025. She provided information about the announced amounts and types. Further, Bircan also emphasized that the overall, first, and second winners (potentially maybe the third winners as well) will be included in a complied book project in print in the following months of the year. 
The book project is presented as a part of the award types that will be feature the received and winning submissions through an open call. The project aims to obtain submissions by international high school students to make a commitment and promote #WaterActionDecade and SDG-6: Clean-Drinkable Water and Hygiene For All. Bircan invited all to collaborate on this project. 

Intervention: Water Conservation and Global Challenges 
Prof. L. Ramesh proposed a new action to conserve water through simple energy-saving measures at home, which was well-received by the participants. Prof. Ramesh mentioned his involvement with various volunteers and organizations including the Institute of Green Engineers and Outreach. 

Discussion: Plant Factory Tour and Collaboration Plans
Bircan shared about a visit to an impressive Plant Factory in Istanbul in December 2023 with minimal water usage and urban agriculture capabilities and expressed its co-founder Ahmet Guney’s interest in sharing this technology, particularly for urban areas with limited space. The speakers also discussed the importance of education, particularly in peace, water education, and women’s issues, and the need for sustainable solutions for incomplete buildings in Egypt and India. The team agreed on the importance of considering economics, rights, and gender in their discussions. Lastly, Bircan emphasized the importance of infrastructure and the potential for combining consumer power to make a positive change in the world.

Concluding Remarks of the session delivered by Prof. Olcay Ünver, who is one of the well-respected global leaders on the water-related issues.

In a nutshell: The keynote speaker and panelists engaged in discussions about various topics based on each of their respective countries such as Sri Lanka, India, China, Egypt, Türkiye, and the United States, including water scarcity, transboundary water issues, accomplished projects, technical and policy-related issues, water resource management, and ecological agriculture along with water as the single unifying source that can be elevated toward for world peace.

The panelists emphasized the significance of water conservation, sustainability, and educating public on the water usage, and shared their insights on the interconnectedness of water with various sectors, its role in fostering peace and cooperation, and the need to ensure water security for a more sustainable and compassionate world.

Overall, the importance of water in addressing global challenges such as poverty, hunger, and climate change was underlined, and the potential of water as a catalyst for peace was highlighted. The discussion ended with a call for further action, collaboration, and the provision of written support for the water-related goals. 

The program was closed with a second piano piece by Ravel, “Boat on the Ocean”, performed by Korkmaz Can Saglam.

The session was moderated by Bircan Ünver, M.A., who also initially wrote the concept of the session.

The program received over 500 registrants and around 200 attendees including speakers, organizers, contributing organizations, and volunteers.

DELIVERED SPEECHES & PRESENTATIONS

The LMGlobal.Org is very pleased to share with you all that the Organization has made available below all the received PowerPoint presentations, along with the obtained speeches via the panelists. Each of these was presented at the 2024 World Water Day #WaterForPeace international virtual panel, titled, “The Future of Sustainability of Water, Agriculture & Food: WaterForPeace“ on March 24, 2024.

Opening Remarks of the session by Prof. Olcay Ünver

Keynote Address: Water for Peace; Reflections from Sri Lanka
by Dr. VINYA S. ARIYARATNE, President
Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka

Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainable Water use and management
by Prof. Dr. RM. NARAYANAN, PhD.,
Dean Sponsored Research & Dean Green and Smart Campus
Centre for Advanced REsearch in Environment and Remote Sensing
Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute University – Chennai

From the World Heritage Irrigation Structure of Lougang Irrigation and Drainage System of Taihu Lake Basin to the Global Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage of mulberry fish ponds
Presentation & Narration by Prof. YANG JIANCHU, Institute of Sustainable Development, Huzhou Normal University

Understanding the Global Water Crisis: An Overview from Egypt and the Nile Basin
Presentation & Narration by Dr. DAHLIA SABRI, Water Resources and Development Adviser, Chair, Egypt IWRA-Egypt Chapter

Plant Factory: Sustainable Agriculture – Water For Peace 
Presentation by AHMET GÜNEY*, Co-Founder and Lead of R&D at Plant Factory

Circular, Sustainable, and Integrated Water & Food Management
For Household with “Deeply High House”
Presentation by M. TOPRAK CILIZLAR

A Call For Papers for Submissions To The U.S. & International High School Students
Brief Introduction of the 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing & Innovation Awards – All Categories are dedicated to the #WaterAction Decade #JUCAwards2025
Presented by BİRCAN ÜNVER, M.A. – Full Guidelines

Concluding Remarks of the session delivered by Prof. Olcay Ünver, who is one of the well respected global leaders on the Water related issues.

Organized and Presented by:
The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization | LMGlobal.Org
Associated to the United Nations Department of Global Communications &
The Light Millennium Television

Contributing Organizations are China Great Wall Society & IGEN – The Institution of Green Engineers, India.

Brief Bios of the Speakers are available by clicking on this link.

The LMGlobal.Org thanks each of the esteemed speakers very much for their shared invaluable expertise, knowledge, and wisdom, which individually and collectively enhanced, and contributed toward understanding and appreciation of the presented concept. 

The Organization also THANKS to the Contributing Organizations namely, China Great Wall Society & Institution of Green Engineers, along with the Volunteers of the session, Salih Mansur, LMGlobal.Org & Pious Niranjan, IGEN, India; along with to all the attendees of the session.

[*] Ahmet Güney of the Plant Factory, couldn’t make the session on the event date due to an urgent family issue. Regardless, he contributed via a special video recording to the outcome of the panel, along with his PP presentation as of March 26, 2024.)

#LightMillenniumTV: The Future of Sustainability of Water, Agriculture & Food: Water For Peace | Part 1 of 2

#WorldWaterDay2024 #WaterForPeace Part 1/2: 
Aired on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 8:00-9:00 PM EST under #LightMillenniumTV Series through QPTV.Org on Channels# 34/1995/82/34 | Duration: 58:30 min.

#LightMillenniumTV: The Future of Sustainability of Water, Agriculture & Food: Water For Peace | Part 2 of 2

#WorldWaterDay2024 #WaterForPeace Part 2/2: 
Aired on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 9:30-10:30 PM EST under #LightMillenniumTV Series through QPTV.Org on Channels #56/1996/84/36

Initial Program with the Bios of the Speakers: