Event
Empowering youth for water action: First UNESCO Water Youth Dialogue
The global water crisis demands innovative solutions and fresh perspectives. The 1st UNESCO Water Youth Dialogue brings together 50 young water professionals and advocates at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on June 12-13, 2025, creating a powerful platform for intergenerational exchange and collaborative action.
Event details:
12 June: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM in Room VI
13 June: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM in Room VI
A critical moment for water action
With 60% of young people reporting climate-related water challenges in their communities, youth participation in water governance has never been more crucial. This landmark event, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Groundwater Youth Network (GWYN) and the Global Youth Movement for Water (GYMW), will unite diverse voices to shape the future of global water management.
The Dialogue coincides with two significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and 60 years of UNESCO's dedication to water sciences. Participants will contribute to UNESCO's IHP-IX Operational Implementation Plan while developing concrete action plans for the UN 2026 Water Conference.
The Water Youth Dialogue aims to harness the power of young voices in addressing global water challenges. By bringing together youth organizations and experienced water professionals, the dialogue seeks to create meaningful partnerships that amplify the impact of youth-led initiatives in water management and governance.
A key focus of the event is fostering innovation and practical solutions. Participants will work together to develop concrete strategies for sustainable water management, drawing on both traditional knowledge and fresh perspectives. This intergenerational approach ensures that youth-driven solutions are both innovative and grounded in proven practices, creating a strong foundation for addressing current and future water challenges.
Program highlights
The first day features an opening session and introductory panel, followed by a global water youth movement progress review. The afternoon includes a water advocacy workshop and an intergenerational consultation through a world cafe format, concluding with a networking social event.
Day two begins with a youth-led projects showcase and culminates in water youth strategy development and closing sessions.
Registration
Registration is required to receive connection details.
- International Secretariat for Water
- UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network (GWYN)
- Association of Young Water and Sanitation Professionals in Senegal (AJPEAS)
- Association des Professionnels de l’Eau et des Déchets (ASTEE)
- Central Asia Youth for Water Network (CAY4W)
- Early Career Hydrogeologists Network – International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH–ECHN)
- Ecohydrology Youth Network (EHYN)
- European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW)
- IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
- Instituto Águas Resilientes
- International Water Association – Young Water Professionals (France)
- International Water Resources Association (IWRA)
- Réseau Eau et Climat des Organisations de Jeunes d’Afrique Centrale (RECOJAC)
- Swiss Water Partnership Youth
- UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN)
- Water Youth Network
- Wavemakers United Foundation
- World Water Council – Youth Delegates
- World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW)
- 1 Million Youth Actions Challenge (1MYAC)
- Action-Formation-Recherche en Eau (AFR'eau)
- Association of Young Water and Sanitation Professionals in Senegal (AJPEAS)
- Association des Professionnels de l’Eau et des Déchets (ASTEE)
- Central Asia Youth for Water Network (CAY4W)
- Early Career Hydrogeologists Network – International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH–ECHN)
- Ecohydrology Youth Network (EHYN)
- European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW)
- IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
- Instituto Águas Resilientes
- International Secretariat for Water
- International Water Association – Young Water Professionals (France)
- International Water Resources Association (IWRA)
- Oxford Water Network
- Réseau Eau et Climat des Organisations de Jeunes d’Afrique Centrale (RECOJAC)
- Swiss Water Partnership Youth
- UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network (GWYN)
- UNESCO International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (i-WSSM)
- UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN)
- Water Youth Network
- Wavemakers United Foundation
- World Water Council – Youth Delegates
- World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW)
- Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC (YOUNGO)
Contact
For inquiries about the event, please contact: groundwater@unesco.org