24-27 September, 2008 [Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]

Without concerted effort and action, the international community is likely to miss not only the Millennium Development Goals relating to water and sanitation, but all of the eight goals established in 2000.  Despite this, it is well documented that water and sanitation are fundamental to broader national development – vastly reducing global disease burdens; allowing more children (especially girls) to gain access to education; reducing the time women spend on collecting water and triggering other forms of economic growth and livelihood development.  Almost one in two people in the developing world lack access to sanitation.  Despite this, sanitation tends to be overlooked globally and this imbalance requires urgent redress.

Inaction on sanitation is not a viable option. Failure to invest in improving hygiene conditions undermines efforts to promote economic growth and poverty reduction.  Conversely, investment in sanitation and hygiene yields very favourable economic returns and social benefits.  Equally importantly, sanitation provides the simple right to dignity and safety through adequate facilities for personal hygiene and a clean and healthy living environment for every individual, but particularly for adolescent girls, children and women.

Action on sanitation and hygiene is both politically feasible and politically constructive.  Progress does not have to be costly; the political risk associated with investment in sanitation and hygiene is often over-estimated.  And politicians wishing to strengthen their constituencies may see they are missing a trick.    

These, and linked issues relating to the policy, science and practice of sustainable sanitation will be addressed during the International Conference on Sustainable Sanitation in September 2008.  A three day event, the conference will bring together the community of practice that has coalesced around the NETSSAF consortium, in conjunction with other decision makers, sanitation professionals, scientists and practitioners.  Findings, future trends and evaluations will be presented on the unifying theme of large scale sustainable approaches to sanitation in rural and peri-urban areas.

We invite you all to participate in our Conference and work together to achieve the MDG in West Africa!