Understand

Choose from among the following suggested activities to help foster deeper understanding of the human right to water and what defending it entails.

• Learn about UUSC's Environmental Justice Program.
  • Grassroots partners
  • Stories, articles, and press releases
  • Resources
• Read Blue Revolution: Unmaking America's Water Crisis, by Cynthia Barnett.  Gather a group for discussion, and then join others nationwide for the Get-Together with the author.


• Show UUSC videos to raise awareness in your community with a series of viewings and discussions:
  • "Right to Water: Guayaquil, Ecuador" (2005, 2.49 minutes)
  • "Briefing on the African Water Crisis: Blumenauer's Testimony" (2007, 6.28 minutes)
  • "Water Is Ours" (2009, 5.37 minutes), about South African system of prepaid water meters
  • La Mina (2010, 15.20 minutes), about gold mining in Guatemala
  • The Mazibuko Water Rights Journey (2010, ranging from 7.28 to 9.55 minutes each segment), a five-part film about South African water-rights case.
  • "U.N. Independent Expert visit to the U.S." (2011, 2.19 minutes)
    • Read accompanying press release (March 4, 2011).
    • Read full report to the U.N. Human Rights Council (September 15, 2011).

• Show ""Protect Human Health: Pass the Ag Waiver Now!" from the UU Legislative Ministry of California (2012, 4.1 minutes)

• Show "The Naked Truth" (2011, 2.12 minutes), a brief video that explains why a well is not enough.

• Organize a screening of The Water Front (2007, 53 minutes) and use the accompanying discussion guide to have a conversation about the larger issues around water.

• Listen to a World Water Day radio address by Patricia Jones (2011, 5.29 minutes).

• Follow blog posts by Patricia Jones and Rachel Ordu Dan-Harry for the latest program updates, including on-the-ground reports, news, and videos about our issues and partners — and share your comments!

• Follow blog posts by Shelley Moskowitz and Kara Smith for the latest public policy and mobilization updates — share your comments and take action!

• Keep up with UUSC online — and share your input — through Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.

• Read Values in Action, UUSC monthly e-newsletter, and other e-mails (sign up now to hear the latest human-rights updates)!

• Visit the U.N. Water for Life website for additional resources on the international human right to water.