“We know that by 2050, more than half of the world’s population could live in the regions subject to water stress due to the acceleration of global warming.” said Ms Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, in a video message on the occasion of the launch of World Water Development Report 2020.
The report is published annually by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water on a different theme. The 2020 edition - “Water and Climate Change” - focuses on the challenges, opportunities and potential responses to climate change, in terms of adaptation, mitigation and improved resilience that can be addressed through improving water management.
To launch the report in Indonesia, UNESCO Jakarta and Climate Tracker organized a series of events culminating on 24 April 2020, contributing to SDG #6 (Clean water and sanitation) and #13 (Climate action). All activities were organized entirely online in recognition of the importance of respecting and promoting national and local measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 (with national campaign of #dirumahaja – stay at home).
Featuring a special message by the DG of UNESCO and with participation by more than 150 young people from across Indonesia, the event brought together international and national experts to share their views on challenges, opportunities relating to water and climate change – within the COVID-19 pandemic context.
Coming from different backgrounds - university, government, youth activism, and social media communication - the panellists discussed water and climate change in the Indonesian context, current policy, youth engagement, and water stewardship.
The webinar concluded with a screening of ten short videos, representing the best entries into UNESCO and Climate Tracker’s online film-making and social media messaging campaign and competition.
With the objective of strengthening the capacity of Indonesian youth leaders for effective communication using visual media, UNESCO and Climate Tracker received a total of 76 short videos – and provided online training on basic knowledge of climate change, water issues, social media content strategy as well as communication skills in promoting climate change actions in Indonesia.
Out of ten finalist videos, three outstanding examples were chosen and announced as the first, second and third prize winners – congratulations to all participants, and to the three winning entries, available here:
- Muhammad Iqbal (IPB University, Bogor): https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UYq7TDYbo/?igshid=xu79bmv8hkey
- Muchlas Abrar (Hasanuddin Makasar University): https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Uf_lshkmX/?igshid=ig2h55pafiel
- Mitha Afrida Khairunnisa (Senior High School No. 1 Bekasi, West Java): https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Uc268leGC/?igshid=1derji4u3ng11