Happy World Water Day!

In anticipation of World Water Day, Wednesday March 22, I want to quickly share with you a couple of insights and highlights.

First of all, I sincerely thank you all for your continued support for global water security over the years, including a clear focus on safe drinking water and sanitation for the world’s poorest countries and communities. The momentum continues in 2017, leading to President Trump delivering the first ever Global Water Strategy to the Congress by October 1, 2017.

Our intelligence community has emphasized that global water security is important to U.S. national security, and the continued leadership of both authorizers and appropriators on Capitol Hill will save and improve millions of lives, and help to reduce and prevent water-related conflicts like Syria and Yemen. These efforts will also help to prevent the next droughts from becoming the next famines, and the next water-related infectious diseases from reaching the shores of the United States.

1) USAID has recently published “Safeguarding the World’s Water,” a detailed report on its activities for water and sanitation across the globe. Appropriated funds support water supply and sanitation, water productivity, and water resources management in the developing world. In FY14 and FY15, USAID provided 7.6 million people with improved access to drinking water, 4.3 million people with improved sanitation, and over 3.1 million with improved agricultural management.

2) A number of other U.S. government agencies (Department of State, NASA, CDC, NOAA, Department of Defense, and more) are also involved in efforts to ensure water security across the globe. My colleagues and I at Water 2017 have produced a working document (Highlighted U.S. Government Global Water Efforts – 2015-2016) that provides a partial list of many of those important activities.

3) The momentum continues:  

• By October 1, 2017, President Trump will deliver the first-ever Global Water Strategy to the U.S. Congress, as mandated by the Water for the World Act of 2014.
• Pope Francis will deliver a World Water Day 2017 address on Wednesday, March 22: http://worldwatervalues.org/live/
• Americans in all 50 states are working hard on this issue, through their Rotary clubs, church groups, nonprofits, and schools. See your state here: http://water2017.org/water-in-your-state.html

Thank you again for your life-saving support.

Paid Internship Opportunity / Water 2017 / April - June 2017

Please share with friends/colleagues who might be interested. Many thanks.

 

Water 2017 Internship

Project Name: Water 2017, an initiative of Advocates for Development Assistance

Position: Intern

Location: Washington DC

Status: Non-Exempt; Temporary Full-Time

Water 2017 is a one-year initiative of Advocates for Development Assistance aiming to elevate and mainstream global water security across U.S. foreign policy. Water 2017 will strengthen actions by the U.S. government and private American citizens to improve global water security, and encourage the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress to prioritize to an unprecedented level the role of water in international development and diplomacy.

Water 2017’s efforts will lead to a higher and more effective response to global water challenges by President Trump, the U.S. Congress, as well as by key U.S. government agencies such as USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others.

Water 2017 is seeking a full-time, paid intern (preferably senior undergraduate or graduate student) to assist with a wide range of projects that support our advocacy, communications, and research efforts. The intern will support the CEO and Deputy Director. The internship will have a start date in late April or early May, and will run through June 30, 2017.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

·       Research global water and U.S. foreign policy initiatives, past and present

·       Help write, edit, and format materials for administration and congressional meetings

·       Research new global water leadership opportunities and areas for integration between water and other development, diplomacy, and national security priorities

·       Represent Water 2017 at relevant meetings, meet DC water leaders, and brainstorm collaborations

·       Support Water 2017’s education and advocacy programs. These could include learning events; high profile advocacy events; outreach to the U.S. government, businesses, foundations, civic/faith groups, advocacy partners; and/or standalone communications initiatives.

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Your interests should include:

·       Policy advocacy

·       U.S. foreign policy

·       International development

·       Global water security as both a threat and a leadership opportunity

The successful candidate will be a student (undergraduate senior or graduate student) in public policy, public health, and/or international affairs.

Successful completion of a writing test will be required.

You must be eligible to work or intern in the U.S.

The Water 2017 office is located in downtown Washington DC.

How to Apply

Please send résumé and cover letter detailing your interests to John Oldfield at joldfield@Water2017.org.

New Venture Fund Careers

Advocates for Development Assistance is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund's work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability.