A strategic starting point for resilient water systems.
Schools are not merely places of learning; they are trusted public institutions embedded within communities. By connecting water, climate, and culture, schools serve as a unique platform for practical, inclusive, and sustainable change. They demonstrate how rainwater can contribute to resilient, people-centred water systems.
"Importantly, engaging schools does not exclude other settings. Rather, schools serve as an entry point from which rainwater-based approaches can expand to health centres, public institutions, and wider communities."
The strategic rationale for engaging schools is supported by practical experience from the Rain School Initiative, a recognized initiative under the UN Water Action Agenda. The initiative demonstrates how schools can function as effective platforms for integrating rainwater management with climate education, safe drinking water practices, and community engagement.
Schools are not treated merely as sites for infrastructure, but as living laboratories where students, teachers, and surrounding communities engage directly with rainfall, water use, and climate variability.
Recognition under the UN Water Action Agenda situates the Rain School Initiative within a broader global effort to advance inclusive, action-oriented responses. It connects local practice with international learning and scales impact through education.
"By highlighting schools as platforms for learning, practice, and connection, the conference illustrates how rainwater can move beyond infrastructure to become a driver of resilient, inclusive, and culturally grounded water futures."