Terrible droughts and devastating floods – water dictates life in Africa. And even when there is neither too much nor too little water, it often has to be carried long distances on foot, or it is polluted and undrinkable.
Climate change in Africa is a question of water and justice. The first Blue Communities in Africa were established in the spring of 2024. Since the network became very active on the international Blue Community website ( www.blue-community.net ) and on social media, the Blue Community in Africa has grown significantly. Today, it comprises more than two dozen Blue Communities – primarily NGOs, but also church organizations and local congregations – and the number is constantly increasing. To accommodate this rapid growth, these Blue Communities are now structured into three regions, each with its own coordination. Together, they ensure that the Blue Community in Africa remains cohesive and can continue to grow.
Switzerland now boasts over 50 Blue Communities – the largest number worldwide – in a country of just 9 million inhabitants. The Blue Community is a success story in Switzerland, and the Swiss Blue Community thus plays a vital role and bears a certain responsibility for the entire global Blue Community. Principle 4 of the Swiss Blue Community calls for collaboration and support with partners in the Global South. What could be more fitting than supporting the Blue Community in Africa, especially since several Swiss Blue Communities already have partners and active projects there (universities, parishes, NGOs)?
To strengthen the development of the Blue Community in Africa and foster collaboration, we have established a working group for the partnership between the Blue Community Switzerland and Africa . The aim is to provide targeted support and guidance for the development of the Blue Community in Africa. We encourage all Blue Communities in Switzerland to support this networking and strengthening of the Blue Community in Africa – and thus the commitment to water and justice in Africa. Interested individuals are warmly invited to participate in the working group.
We look forward to hearing from you. Karl Heuberger / Annemarie Koch / Theo Hofer / Sabine Ziegler / Roland Brunner
Contact: Roland Brunner
Information about the Blue Community Africa here
