The Blue Community Network welcomes a new partner in Africa: the journalist association Réseau Africain des Médias RAM WASH joins the Blue Community.
The African Media Network for WASH is a Journalist Association based in Dakar, Senegal, and a member of POSCEAS (Platform of Civil Society Organisations for Water and Sanitation in Senegal), working in partnership with the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA). It operates under the slogan «For sustainable solution-oriented journalism!»
Elh Moussa THIAM – a journalist specialising in WASH and President of RAM WASH, as well as President of the Senegalese Journalists’ Forum for Reflection and Action on Hygiene, Water and Sanitation, states about the network:
«We are an association operating under the umbrella of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA). We are currently in the process of formalising our status. We have around thirty media professionals from several African countries and aim to have representation in every African country.»
In the commitment and self-declaration to join the Blue Community, RAM WASH writes:
«We wish to become a Blue Community to strengthen our commitment to sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation.»
RAM WASH has been working for several years to promote universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation through awareness-raising, media advocacy and community mobilisation. Through its journalistic work, webinars and information campaigns, it helpdc to ensure that water and sanitation are recognised as fundamental human rights.
For several years, RAM WASH has supported public initiatives aimed at improving access to water and sanitation through communication, awareness-raising and the promotion of public policies in the WASH sector. The journalists highlight projects led by local authorities in partnership with NGOs, public services and national institutions to build public confidence in public water and sanitation services.
RAM WASH runs capacity-building workshops for journalists on governance in the water and sanitation sector, as well as awareness-raising and communication initiatives to promote access to safe, affordable and sustainable drinking water for all. Through media content, it builds trust in public drinking water services and raise public awareness of the environmental impacts of excessive consumption of bottled water and water in plastic bags, a widespread phenomenon in Senegal and several other African countries.
In the future, we plan to strengthen our information and advocacy campaigns on the importance of public drinking water, promote best practices in sustainable water resource management, and support local initiatives that promote equitable access to quality water. We also plan to organise webinars, broadcasts and awareness-raising activities on reducing plastic use, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable solutions for access to safe drinking water.
RAM WASH commits to the core values of the Blue Community and states:
«In the future, we intend to strengthen our advocacy work, further promote best practices in water governance, raise public awareness of their rights, and support local initiatives that foster equitable, inclusive and sustainable access to water and sanitation services. We plan to continue our media advocacy work, organise webinars and information campaigns on the importance of public water services, and promote transparent, inclusive and sustainable governance. We also aim to encourage dialogue between public authorities, communities and sector stakeholders to help strengthen water and sanitation services managed in the public interest.»
RAM WASH President Elh Moussa THIAM states:
«Our organisation is committed to promoting the principles of inclusive governance, transparency, environmental education and community participation in the water and sanitation sector. We encourage the involvement of young people, women, the media and local communities in awareness-raising and advocacy activities. Becoming a Blue Community will enable us to share experiences, promote best practices and help raise public awareness of issues related to WASH and the conservation of water resources.»
Souleymane Guindo, Blue Community Coordinator for the French-speaking Africa, welcomes RAM WASH in the global Blue Community and celebrates their commitment:
«Dear members of RAM WASH, welcome to the Blue Community family.
We are delighted to welcome you and look forward to working with you to make a positive impact on our community through concrete actions.
We are all aware of just how much the world needs clean drinking water, and there is an urgent need to facilitate access to it.
So, whilst welcoming you once again, I would like to assure you, ladies and gentlemen of RAM WASH, of my sincere commitment to achieving a significant and positive outcome.»
