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The Youth Water Parliaments, led by Solidarity Water Europe,
bring young people, aged 8 to 18, together to experience a democratic process
and to encourage their commitment to water management. The parliamentary sessions
last three to seven days, and provide young people with the opportunity to interact
with elected officials, industrial and scientific representatives, and other
adults working in the water sector.
Starting from local concerns and perspectives
Beginning months before the parliamentary sessions, young participants prepare
accounts of their local water situation and examine their own experiences regarding
water issues. These accounts are essential starting points for debates. Once
young people have become conscious of the inequalities that exist, they can
get motivated to start producing ideas. After initial exchanges, participants
begin a stage of group reflection that results in the organisation of a parliamentary
adjournment session. During this session, participants formulate common messages
and solutions. These are formalised through a written document (a declaration,
charter, or manifesto) that will take on great importance in the follow-up stage.
The parliamentary documents are the proof of our common work and also represent
the basis for our future local, national and international activities (in the
water sector), as they embody our values and principles,” said Maria Zheleva,
20-year-old student and President of the first European Youth Water Parliament
held in Espalion, France.
The interaction with adult participants is key to making the parliaments a success.
Parliamentarians, scientific representatives and teachers help guide the participants.
"Everyone says that the young people are the future, that they are the
hope for the future, but I prefer to say that they are the present. It is up
to us, as adults, not only to listen to you, but also to act and to commit to
putting into place your projects and propositions,” said Cristina Agudo,
member of the Commission for Agriculture and Environment of the Council of Europe
and member of the Spanish senate, during the adjournment session of the Euro-
Mediterranean Youth Water Parliament in la Valette, Malta, April 2003.
Encouraging commitments to the Danube
One result of the Youth Water Parliaments is a network of young people in the
Danube Basin that continue to work together on local projects. Solidarity Water
Europe, supported by Bulgarian partners, held a parliament in Stara Zagora last
year that focused on river basin issues. At the European Youth Water Parliament
in Switzerland in 2003, youth came from all Danube River Basin countries to
form a Danube delegation, which met with delegations from the Po and other European
rivers. Organisers hope eventually to create a Danube parliament with youth
representatives from all of the Danube River Basin countries.
INFOBOX: THE YOUTH WATER PARLIAMENT
May 1998 The birth of the concept: participation of young Europeans in the H20 festival in Besse, France July 1999 The Rhenan Children´s Parliament for Water, Sélestat, France May 2000 First European Youth Parliament for Water, Espalion, France July 2001 Second European Youth Parliament for Water, Barcs, Hungary Theme – Water and Tourism |
November 2002 The World Youth Parliament for Water, Montreal, Quebec April 2003 Third European Youth Parliament for Water, Marsaxxlok, Malta Euro-Mediterranean Youth Parliament for Water September 2003 Fourth European Youth Parliament for Water, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Theme: Water and Democracy throughout a Europe in transition October 2003 Fifth European Youth Parliament for Water, Switzerland Theme: Upstream/Downstream Solidarity |