World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This Day is an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. Water is an essential building block of life. It is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.

A new World Water Development Report is released each year on or near World Water Day, to provide decision-makers with tools to formulate and implement sustainable water policies. This report is coordinated by UNESCO’s World Water Development Programme (WWAP) on behalf of UN-Water. The annual theme for World Water Day is aligned with the focus of the report.

UNESCO also contributes to the observance of World Water Day within the activities of its International Hydrological Programme (IHP), which worlds all year long to build the scientific knowledge base to help countries manage their water resources in a sustainable way.

Sources
World Water Day. https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/waterday
World Water Day 2021. https://www.worldwaterday.org/

 

Water Value @AU
The two most important festivals of the Thai are celebrated with water “Songkran” and “Loy Krathong.” In April AU conducted the Songkran Festivals, activities included the sprinkling of scented water on the enshrined Buddha Image. 

Then the administrators, faculty members, staff, students took part in the respect paying ceremony to the senior university executives by pouring water over the palms of their hands. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.

 

“Loy Krathong” is another annual festival that signifies the value of water. In the event AU administrators, faculty members, staff, and students express their respect and appreciation to the River Mother and promise not to pollute the rivers by floating the krathong. Also, it is a joyous tradition filled with various activities of AU students – Miss Noppamas and Krathong contests add fun and festivity to the event.

World Water Day 2021 will focus on the theme “Valuing Water.” Water means different things to different people. The AU community’s members including AU alumni shared their views on the importance of water.

“Our world consists more of water than other substances. That tells us that we should not allow anything to have more importance than water. From birth to death, water nurtures us; water feeds our lives; water gives us livelihood; and, water teaches us through every state of our being.

Thai culture, in particular, has evolved from a water-bound belief from community and geography through which water plays its vital role. Sacred rites--such as blessing, anointing, bathing, cleansing, showering, or sprinkling--involve water based activities which are inseparable from Thai ways. Our Thai custom, therefore, has long taught us to appreciate and respect the value of water through norms, literature, practices, and communicative artefacts. King Rama IX's initiative projects of water conservation and flood prevention leave us with great legacy to treasure and to remind us a proper handling of water to ensure the sustainable prosperity for generations to come.”

Dr. Apichart Intravisit,
Program Director, Master of Business Administration
in Creative Communication, Graduate School of Business

 

The importance of water in my family
Water is essential for life. No being on earth can live without water.
Water is the medium for various representations and practices: religion, culture, nutrition, health, hygiene.
All this leads to believe that water does not change from one society to another.

In my family water is the precious liquid which gives us the health of the organism and the body cleanliness and well-being.

Water is the source of good health, protection and blessing. It is at the center of our existence. That said, it is present in all our daily practices.

According to my culture, water symbolizes life, power, blessing, wealth. Without water we cannot exist. For the need of our body it allows the digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of waste, it ensures the maintenance of body temperature.

A major component of the blood, it contributes among other things to maintaining blood pressure, transporting nutrients, hormones and oxygen. Water ensures cleanliness and well-being. It allows us to exploit natural resources for food and other needs. Water purifies us from all evil and protects us from Satan.

In conclusion, water is essential for all human, animal and environmental life.

Bro. Gervais SAMBOU
Senegal.
(AU Alumnus)

 


Water is one of the most important substances on earth and our lifetime. We must have water at every single moment (for drinking and cooking to survive, washing our bodies, washing clothes, washing utensils, cleaning houses, filling mini kid pools and keeping plants alive in gardens) = "WATER IS LIFE."

Ms. Thida Jieranai
Staff, Office of Human Resources Management 

 

“Many of us nowadays had taken for granted how we always look fresh and feel clean stepping out of our home everyday. Our body daily, through our skin and hair daily, discharges a very thin layer of oily secretion that need to be removed through us having a bath or shower with soap and shampoo. I am not sure many will imagine our state without taking a bath or shower for more than 3 days in a row, how they will look or feel should there be shortage of water..Simply unacceptable right?..We should appreciate and be thankful for how water is adding value to our daily living..”

Dr. Aaron Loh
Instructor, Graduate School of Business
and Advanced Technology Management

 
“Water is the essential element of human body. It aids in digestive and cardiovascular systems. Likewise, water helps many organs including brain, tissue, and joint function well.
Water also helps to remove waste products from the body. Without water, we will have dehydration and cannot survive. All mankind must value water and preserve it for our next generation.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Siriporn Poonruksa
Instructor, Bernadette de Lourdes School of Nursing Science

 

 “Water is essential for us. Without water people can not survive.

Water that we are using not only as a drinking water but also use to provide the water for growing of the plants at the agriculture land. And also when people produce the electricity used by water which is hydroelectric power that we can use electricity everywhere.

That’s why water is very important for us.”

Ms. Khin Saw Mon
Instructor, Theodore Maria School of Arts

 

Water use in campus is another important indicator in green metric. The aim is that universities can decrease water usage, increase conservation program, and protect the habitat. Water conservation program, piped water use are among the criteria.

The indicators are:
1. Water conservation program implementation
2. Water recycling program implementation
3. The use of water efficient appliances (water tap, toilet flush, etc.)
4. Treated water consumed

Related Link

Green University