In honour of World Water Day on March 22, WaterCan is launching a Canada-wide online video contest called “End Poverty at the Source!” that is intended to get Canadians talking about a global crisis – the desperate need for clean water and sanitation in the developing world.WaterCan says 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water, and 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation like toilets or safe latrines.
“When it comes to these basic needs, we are all the same,” said Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, a correspondent for CTV’s eTalk and member of the contest judging panel, which also includes MuchMusic VJ Sarah Taylor, UNICEF Water & Sanitation Chief Clarissa Brocklehurst, and other notable Canadians.
“I’ve seen what happens when people gain access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation, and the results are incredible. Every aspect of their lives improves for the better,” added Ms. Grégoire-Trudeau, who visited Ethiopia with WaterCan in 2006, along with her mother-in-law and WaterCan’s honourary president, Margaret Trudeau.
The video contest encourages Canadians ages 18 and up to create 30- to 60-second videos about this global crisis. The winner will receive a trip to Africa with WaterCan to see its water and sanitation programs in action. The deadline for entries is Oct. 19 and the winner will be announced on Nov. 19.
For complete contest info, judge bios, factsheets, photos, videos, and more, visit www.watercan.com/videocontest.