World Toilet Day 2013

WASH United is throwing a party – online as well as offline

“Celebrate the Toilet!“ on November 19

This year, November 19 has been officially designated World Toilet Day by the United Nations.
 
November 19 is a very important day for the toilet. In July 2013, the United Nations General Assembly designated World Toilet Day, established by the World Toilet Organization (WTO) 12 years ago as an official United Nations Day, making this November 19 the toilet’s first official day of honor.

Berlin-based NGO WASH United, the WTO and the German WASH Network have assembled a dream team of partner organizations – including American Standard, the German Federal Foreign Office, Toilet Hackers, WaterAid, WASH Advocates, Water For People and WSSCC for the “Celebrate the Toilet!” campaign. In addition to celebrating the toilet for the tireless service it provides to most of us every day, the campaign also aims to draw greater attention to the often neglected global sanitation crisis.

The humble toilet is one of the greatest inventions in human history. It has helped save more lives than vaccinations and seat belts have. While it is difficult for many to imagine life without mobile phones or internet, imagining life without a toilet is even harder. Globally, four out of ten people still lack access to a safe and hygienic toilet. In Africa, diseases like diarrhoea caused by poor sanitation and hygiene kill more children than malaria, measles and HIV/aids combined. According to the World Bank, poor sanitation may cost the global economy approximately 260 billion USD. These are only a few reasons why the recognition of sanitation as a human right is so important.

Worldwide, celebrations will included events in Berlin, Singapore, Sydney, Delhi and Nairobi. On November 19, the first official World Toilet Day was celebrated at the United Nations office in New York, with UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson. That evening, activities will culminate in a celebration of the toilet organized by WASH United, Toilet Hackers and the World Toilet Organization at Mister H, the lounge at the Mondrian Hotel in Manhattan.

Join the celebrations at www.celebratethetoilet.org and leave a message to the toilet on our virtual toilet wall. Take part in the “Celebrate the Toilet!” photo contest by posting a photo of how YOU appreciate your toilet on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #CelebrateTheToilet. The winner will receive a years supply of Looloo Paper.

Where: Forum Factory Berlin, Besselstraße 13-14, 10969 Berlin

When: November 15, 7 p.m. (entry possible after 6 p.m.)