Private actors, privatization and the human rights to water and sanitation

On 16 October, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, is organizing the virtual side-event 'Private actors, privatization and the human rights to water and sanitation'.

Since 2018 the Special Rapporteur has organized a series of Human Rights Youth Challenge, as an opportunity for youth to show knowledge, understanding and passion about the human rights to water and sanitation. This year the third Challenge was convened, focussing on case studies illustrating the impacts of privatization on the human rights to water and sanitation.

The objectives of the 'Private actors, privatization and the human rights to water and sanitation' event is to;

• Present the top 4 winning essays of the Youth Challenge to demonstrate the level of awareness and understanding of youth about the human rights to water and sanitation.
• Discuss the perspective of youth on the roles and responsibilities of private actors in water and sanitation sector including views on privatization of water and sanitation services.
• Highlight a variety of perspectives on the impact of privatization of water and sanitation service on human rights, including and beyond those that were the focus of the Special Rapporteur’s report.

The event is organized together with UN Water, the Permanent Mission of Spain, the Permanent Mission of Germany, UNESCO-IHP, AquaFed, PSI, and the Water Youth Network.

• Register for the event.
• Download the event flyer.