More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities.  At least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water.  Safe drinking water is not just an issue in 3rd world countries, as evidenced by the Flint water crisis.  
 
Sustainable water and sanitation go hand in hand with disease prevention in advancing world peace.  If basic human needs cannot be met, how can there be peace?  The UN's Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone has access to safe water by 2030, making water a key issue in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.
 
In 1993, the UN General Assembly designated March 22nd as World Water Day.  It is now a globally recognized event. Your club and district can help celebrate World Water Day by focusing on the approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide who must rely on water contaminated with feces, putting them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid, polio and other waterborne diseases.
 
WASRAG's World Water Summit 11!
Have you registered for WWS-11?  Stay tuned for more news on the exciting speakers and events we have planned for May 31st in Hamburg, the day before the Rotary International Annual Convention
 
World Rotaract Week is March 13-19.  Let’s celebrate our emerging leaders.  They are the future of Rotary.  
 
Great Lakes PETS is March 14-16 in Kalamazoo.  The District Governor Elects (multi District) and their committees have put together and outstanding program.  RI President Elect Mark Maloney will be there to share how Rotary Connects the World.  I look forward to being with the incoming Club Presidents and Governor team.
 
District Conference May 3–4 will be a celebration, opportunities for fun, fellowship, learning and planting seeds for growth.  Register now,