The 2021 UN World Water Day theme is about “what water means to people, its true value and how we can better protect this vital resource.” To honor this special day, Foundation for a Green Future will host its 9th Annual Massachusetts Water Youth Summit under the sponsorship of Senator Anne Gobi, Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Carolyn Dykema. It will take place virtually on Monday, March 22, 2021 from 9:15-11:25 am. Confirmed partners to date include the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA), Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA), MIT Water Club, and Project Green Schools. A special visitor from abroad will address the attendees of this event - Honorable Agho Oliver, the youngest Member of Parliament from Cameroon.

This year's event will follow the UN's 2021 theme, Valuing Water, by showcasing a number of innovative ways the Commonwealth can become more water-friendly as it moves towards very challenging times on the climate front. “Valuing Water” is an opportunity to think about how to best guarantee adequate clean water to people across all Massachusetts communities for their many needs.

The Youth Summit will utilize the "Shark Tank" model to bring creative water-friendly ideas to the fore. Students from Massachusetts and elsewhere will have the opportunity to pitch their forward-thinking approaches about ways to make their schools more water-friendly, however preference will be given for those from Massachusetts. The winner(s) will have an opportunity to present their ideas to a legislative committee at another date. If you are interested in making a pitch, or know someone who does, please contact us at info{@}foundationforagreenfuture.org.

The call for applicants allows for an initial round of judging based on the following criteria: (1) How can this idea benefit the school’s or school community’s water-friendliness? (2) How environmentally sustainable is this idea? (3) Can this idea be a model for other schools? For the students’ families? For other people in the community? (4) How easy is it to implement? (5) Overall quality and science of presentation.

The abundance of water varies across the Commonwealth’s communities and the challenges differ in various parts of the state. It is important for elected officials along with water experts and constituents to be aware of these issues and work together to sustain this valuable resource, so vital for our future.

9th Annual Massachusetts Water Youth Summit Program:

9:15 am Sign in

9:30 am Welcome by Dr. Karen Weber-Salamanca, Executive Director, Foundation for a Green Future

Senator Anne Gobi, Former Chair, Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

Senator Becca Rausch, Chair of Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

Honorable Agho Oliver, Member of Parliament, Cameroon

9:35 am Short film about Value of Water

9:40 am Begin "Shark Tank" pitches

Panel:

Gretchen Rabinkin, Executive Director, Boston Society of Landscape Architects

Magdalena Ayed, Executive Director, Harborkeepers

Ed Koban, Mohawk Educator

Adriana Cillo, Educator, Boston Water and Sewer Commission

Derek Silver, Communications Director for Senator Anne Gobi

Robin Buchanan, Executive Director, Project Green Schools

Apolo Catala, Farm Manager, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation

Dr. Karen Weber-Salamanca

Senator Anne Gobi

Senator Becca Rausch

Hon. Agho Oliver

Derek Silver

Magdalena Ayed

Gretchen Rabinkin

Ed Koban

Adriana Cillo

Apolo Catala

Robin Buchanan