ANNE GROSPERRIN
ANNE GROSPERRINVice-President of the Métropole de Lyon (city of Lyon, France), responsible for the water cycle. President of the Régie “Eau publique du Grand-Lyon”. Ecologist. Sept. 2013-Dez. 2015 General Secretary of the Europe Ecologie les Verts Group – Rhone-Alpes Region
«Public management is a philosophical, political and democratic choice that represents a paradigm shift in the way we view water, no longer as a mere resource, but as a vital common good for all living things, to be managed and preserved in the public interest. This is the vision I share with the Blue Community.»
DENNIS AGOTI
DENNIS AGOTIWASH Technical Specialist at Peace Winds | Providing Sustainable WASH Solutions, Nairobi, Kenia Working with HuProTech GmbH as Water and Sanitation Policy Advocate. Active with Kenya Water Institute – Nairobi Campus
«Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right. The Blue Community movement is committed to advocating for the protection and equitable distribution of water resources. Efforts to address water-related challenges are essential in ensuring that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and affordable water. Advocates for water rights argue that it should be treated as a basic human right. This perspective aligns with the recognition by various international organizations and declarations that access to clean water is essential for sustaining life, health, and dignity.Let us all come together to support the Blue Community movement and ensure that access to clean water is a basic human right for all.»
DOROTHEE SPUHLER
DOROTHEE SPUHLEROST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Science, UMTEC Institute for Environmental and Process Engineering, Project Manager Global Cooperation, Adapted Water Technologies & Systems SuSanA (Sustainable Sanitation Alliance), Eawag and Board Member VaLoo. Further information and links here
«Water is everywhere and connects everything, including us humans with everything that surrounds us. It is the basis of our lives and we need to protect it and make it accessible to everyone. Access to water and sustainable (waste) water management is something I am also committed to professionally. Through Blue Communities, I can network and work with other stakeholders to contribute to the human right to water and sanitation.»
ALWIN WELLINGTON
Founder & Director of the Blue Community Antardeep Foundation, Uttar Pradesh, India
«For us at Antardeep Foundation, becoming part of the Blue Community is a proud mile-stone. Across rural Uttar Pradesh, we have seen how families struggle with safe drinking water, groundwater contamination, and rising dependence on bottled water. We believe that access to clean and affordable water is a fundamental human right, and through this affiliation, we are strengthening our commitment to defend public water services, reduce plastic waste, and ensure no family is denied this right because of poverty or discrimination.»
LENINHA (Marilene Alves de Souza)
Vice-President of the Parliament in the state of Minas Gerais, Brasil. Former Chair of the Human Rights Commission and Head of the Women’s Bank. Blue Ambassador.
«Water is an essential human right and a non-negotiable common good. It cannot be turned into a commodity; it is a source of life, dignity and balance. I am proud and honoured to be an Ambassador for the Blue Community, which is committed to ensuring universal and free access to water through public, democratic and sustainable management. I have dedicated my life and career to defending the Rights of Nature, socio-environmental justice and life itself, and I will continue to do so.»
JAN SEIBERT
JAN SEIBERTSince 2009 Prof. at the Department for Geography of the University of Zurich where he leads the research group for Hydrology & Climate. see here
«As a hydrologist, the Blue Community goals are very close to my heart – water is a vital part of our environment that needs to be protected and used fairly. To achieve this, water researchers need to work together across traditional scientific boundaries.»
ANNA HOFMANN
ANNA HOFMANNEnvironmental engineer and Ph.D. student based at Fraunhofer UMSICHT in Oberhausen Germany. Actively contributing to the SUSKULT project, my focus lies in nutrient recovery from wastewater for sustainable fertilizer production. My research centers on developing a lab-scale process to facilitate this goal, showcasing my dedication to advancing environmental engineering and pioneering innovative solutions for urban water treatment challenges.
«The Blue Community enhances visibility for our shared topics, showcasing their relevance to policymakers. Together, our collective strength amplifies the impact of our research beyond individual efforts.»
JOHN OLDFIELD
CEO, Accelerate Global, LLC Advocacy Advisor, Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium Managing Principal, Global Water 2020 (2017 – 2021).
«Safe water is a human right for individuals, households, healthcare facilities, schools, and other institutions. We must now work on the progressive realization of that human right. Elected officials – including Members of Parliament, Governors, and Mayors – are pivotal, but often under-recognized, in this fight across countries in the global south and north. They represent their people and communities, and we must put them to work for water.» See also his text «Calling on parliaments: Human rights and the potential of Parliamentary Water Caucuses»
AICHA BARRY
Member and activist of the Blue Community Réseau Ecole RadioChico in Guinea
«Water is a precious and vital resource for all life. Therefore, it is essential that we protect it, conserve it, and ensure that everyone has equitable access to it. That is what the Blue Community is all about.»
ALICIOUS BESSIAMA
Founder and Executive Director of the Blue Community Sunrise Movement in Sierra Leone
«Our aim is to strengthen public institutions in their delivery of equitable water services. We oppose the privatisation of water services, exposing its negative impacts through research and storytelling, and hosting town hall meetings to promote transparency and accountability in public water provision. Water must remain a public trust and should never be treated as a commodity. Public institutions must be supported to serve all people fairly and sustainably.»
