World Youth Parliament for Water – General Assembly Québec 2002

The World Youth Parliament for Water was convened in Quebec City on November 18-22, 2002. The event was part of the preparatory activities for the International Freshwater Year 2003 and brought together 80 young participants from 23 countries, between the ages of 14 and 18. It provided an opportunity for the youth to reflect on water management issues in their home countries and around the world.

The Parliament’s main objective was the adoption of a Water Act within the framework of a structured democratic debate (presentations, discussions, votes, etc).

The four work themes were:

  • Access to water and sanitation as a fundamental human right;
  • Sustainability parameters: in particular, the cost of water services;
  • Local and national water governance;
  • International solidarity on water management issues.

Back home, the participants gave to their national parliament the Water Act written by themselves and adopted during a formal session at the National Assembly of Quebec.