PROGRAMME

Programme on 30 August, 2012, from 16.00 to 18:00 hrs

• Word of welcome by Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector
• Personal experiences from West Africa by various staff and students
• Photographer Gil Garcetti on water, inspiration and West Africa
• Opening exhibition
• Reception

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Women, Water, and Wells reveals the challenges, hopes, and successes experienced by people throughout West Africa—particularly women—who are faced with the daily task of providing safe water for their families and communities. Featuring images by photographer Gil Garcetti, the exhibition commences with landscapes from Niger, Ghana, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

It chronicles the work of non-governmental organizations in the struggle to provide healthy drinking water and to eradicate a variety of diseases linked to unsafe water. Later sections show the joy that results from locating safe water sources and the ways that they benefit people through sanitation and health, education, economic ventures, and new agricultural possibilities.

The exhibit first debuted in 2007 at the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was recently mounted at UNESCO’s Water is Key Photo Exhibition in Paris, France; but also at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland and at the United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, Austria before arriving at UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, the Netherlands.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

In 2001 Gil Garcetti traveled to West Africa for the first of what would be several visits to the continent. Drawn to the land and the people, he became deeply committed to raising awareness of, and funds for, safe water in the region. Thus was born Women, Water, and Wells, a selection of striking photographs from his book, Water is Key (Balcony Press). The rich black-and-white photographs reveal the critical link between water and health in West Africa, as well as the dramatic economic and public health outcomes that can be achieved when safe water is delivered to communities.

WELLS BRING HOPE

Wells Bring Hope a Los Angeles based nonprofit dedicated to saving lives with safe water in West Africa is proud to announce that their Vice President and inspiration for the founding of the organization, former Los Angeles County District Attorney and noted photographer Gil Garcetti will have his acclaimed photo exhibition “Water of Key” mounted in Paris, France; Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria in the coming months.

Women, Water and Wells is organized by UNESCO-IHE in collaboration with the Fowler Museum at UCLA. All works have been lent by the photographer.

REGISTER FOR THE OPENING ON 30 AUGUST 2012

RSVP to expo@unesco-ihe.org before Wednesday 29 August, 2012.