In 2010, the United Nations declared access to water and sanitation a human right. Despite this declaration and the efforts of many NGOs and governments around the world, 780 million people remain without access to improved sources of drinking water, with 653 million of them living in rural areas.

On Monday, Nov. 25, a panel of experts led by UN special rapporteur Catarina De Albuquerque will offer a free public lecture at McMaster Innovation Park as part of the WaSH and Wellbeing Conference. The discussion will focus largely on the inadequate supply of clean, safe water in remote communities, and the necessary measures to improve health and wellbeing in these areas.

De Albuquerque will be joined by McMaster associate professor and Peace Studies Hope Chair Nancy Doubleday; Ross Pink, an international law lecturer at the University of Toronto; and Paul General, wildlife officer/eco-centre manager at The Six Nations Wildlife Management Office.

The event reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the panel discussion to follow at 7 p.m.

Attendees are asked to register by emailing contact.inweh@unu.edu.