11 Countries to Train 9,000 8 to 14 Year Olds as Global Water Ambassadors

Leading environmental charity Global Action Plan and HSBC are announcing a two-year collaboration to engage schools in 11 countries in understanding how water affects lives, and taking practical action to protect and save water in school communities. 

The Water Explorer programme, which has received funding of US$4.3 million from HSBC's Water Programme is a fun, inspiring and educational online initiative. Over 9,000 young people will develop projects to tackle water issues including water saving, cleaner water, embedded water and access to water.

Teams will then create their own practical action plans to make a difference. The programme will be open to young people aged 8-14. It will kick off in November in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, Bermuda and Switzerland.

As part of the HSBC Water Programme, the bank has partnered with Global Action Plan to create a pupil-led experience that allows young people to look at global water issues through the lens of many different school subjects. Global Action Plan has already reached thousands of pupils and saved millions of litres of water through behaviour change programmes.

Water Explorers will help children develop life skills such as presenting, critical thinking, project management and team working. As Global Action Plan programmes are supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), all students who complete the Water Explorer challenge will achieve a UNEP certificate.

Chris Davies, CEO HSBC Bank Europe said:

“Access to safe water and sanitation, and water resource management are some of the biggest challenges facing society. HSBC and Global Action Plan have created this programme to help young people develop the skills they’ll need for the future and to be ambassadors for a more water-conscious world.”

Andy Deacon, Global Action Plan Managing Partner said:

“We know that the impacts of climate change will most readily be felt in water scarcity and pollution – issues that will only become more urgent for the next generation. We’re proud to be leading an international project to enable young people to be leaders in their school communities now, and to be leaders in water conservation when they will be most needed.”