Vision and Goals
The Global Water Watch vision is to have a citizen monitor on every stream, river, lake and coast in the world. The overall goal of GWW is to foster the development of citizen volunteers, who are environmental stewards monitoring water bodies for the improvement of both water quality and water policy. That vision and goal are pursued through:
a) Educating citizens on water issues in their locality as well as in the world
b) Training citizens to use standardized equipment and techniques to gather credible water information using quality assurance protocols; and
c) Empowering citizens to make a positive impact by using their water monitoring data for environmental education, waterbody restoration and protection, and involvement in watershed stewardship.
Certification workshops are provided for the general public, that train citizens to test for physical, chemical and biological indicators of watershed health. In partnerships, with local governments, nongovernmental organizations and community groups, the program seeks to accomplish the following objectives: Protection and restoration of the aquatic environment. Practical ways will be implemented for improved watershed management by communities, with a focus on biophysical interventions. Advocacy and Policy.Means will be sought to empower communities and citizens to influence decision-makers at all levels of society. The goal of this influence, is that these decision makers would establish policies and laws to protect watersheds and foster civic education and involvement. Environmental Education. Formal and non-formal ways to raise community awareness of aquatic environment and resource issues will be implemented for broad-based participation in watershed protection. Spread. A watershed approach to human development will be extended to new areas and groups will be strengthened based on a proven model.