The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is coordinating the International Year of
Sanitation, in broad partnership with stakeholders
including UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector
and academia, to raise awareness and to accelerate
progress on sanitation. An action plan has been
prepared to outline the contributions and inputs
of the United Nations agencies and partners to the
International Year of Sanitation. The plan consists
of activities both within and outside the UNsystem
to advance the implementation of
sanitation-related decisions.
The action plan includes activities to: Raise
awareness, Release new and updated publications,
Advocate, Monitor Access and Commitments,
Advance Implementation, Strengthen Capacities,
and Evaluate Costs and Benefits.
International Year of Sanitation Objectives
The central objective of the International Year of
Sanitation is to put the global community on track
to achieve the sanitation MDG. Sanitation is the
foundation of health, dignity, and development.
Increased sanitation access especially for poor
people, is fundamental for reaching all the
Millennium Development Goal s . The
International Year of Sanitation aims to:
Increase awareness and commitment from
actors at all levels, both inside and outside
the sector, on the importance of reaching the
sanitation MDG, including health, gender
equity, education, sustainable development,
economic and environmental issues, via
compelling and frank communication,
robust monitoring data, and sound
evidence.
Mobilize Governments (from national to
local) existing alliances, financial
institutions, sanitation and service providers, major groups, the private sector and
UN Agencies via rapid collaborative agreements
on how and who will undertake needed steps
now.
Secure real commitments to review, develop and
implement effective action to scale up sanitation
programmes and strengthen sanitation policies
via the assignment of clear responsibilities for
getting this done at the national and
international levels.
Encourage demand driven, sustainable &
traditional solutions, and informed choices by
recognizing the importance of working from the
bottom up with practitioners and communities.
Secure increased financing to jump start and
sustain progress via commitments from national
budgets and development partner allocations.
Develop and strengthen institutional and
human capacity via recognition at all levels that
progress in sanitation toward the MDGs involves
interlinked programmes in hygiene, household
and school facilities (such as toilets and washing
facilities), and the collection, treatment and safe
reuse or disposal of wastewater and human
excreta. Community mobilization, the
recognition of women’s key role and stake, along
with an appropriate mix of “software” and “hardware” interventions are essential.
Enhance the sustainability and therefore the
effectiveness of available sanitation solutions, to
enhance health impacts, social and cultural
acceptance, technological and institutional
appropriateness, and the protection of the
environment and natural resources.
Promote and capture learning to enhance the
evidence base and knowledge on sanitation
which will greatly contribute to the advocacy and
increase investments in the sector.
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