Queen’s University has become the ninth Canadian university to join the Blue Universities network, committing the university to water stewardship and recognizing access to clean water as a human right.
The Blue Communities project was created in 2009 to stop the privatization of water, to recognise water as a human right and later to partner with universities worldwide.
The event was held at Breakwater Park near the Gord Downie Pier, where attendees heard members of the Blue Community Movement and Queen’s faculty share insights on coming together.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane, along with The Blue Community Movement founder Maude Barlow, presented the signed declaration to water steward advocates following speeches.
Barlow shared her concerns with patrons about the lack of accessible water, stating that global water demand is outpacing supply and that not having access to clean water is a human rights violation.
“The goal of our water justice movement is that one day, everyone, everywhere will have safe access to clean public water and sanitation,” said Barlow.
Throughout Barlow’s comments to the community gathered at the pier, she explained the importance of connecting universities with the Blue Community Movement and how the partnership will empower students.
“Becoming a Blue Community, a Blue University, is a declaration of hope. It’s a promise to empower our youth with the sure knowledge that they can make a difference, and together, we can fix what is broken,” said Barlow.
Alexander Wong-Ma, Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability with the Queen’s University Alma Mater Society, shared his experience with Lake Ontario and gave insight into Queen’s student life. Wong-Ma said Queen’s proximity to Lake Ontario has helped make water an important part of student life.
“We have the opportunity to further deepen the relationship to equally see Lake Ontario as a beautiful backdrop to many of our experiences at Queen’s, and also as a living system that connects communities and sustains ecosystems and the people that live around it,” said Wong-Ma.
Wong-Ma hopes that students appreciate the water that surrounds them and participate in the Blue Universities initiatives to provide access to clean water for everyone.
“My hope is that we become more curious about Lake Ontario and its communities and ecosystems and connected through it, and more thoughtful about our responsibility to protect the right to water,” said Wong-Ma.
Attendees swimming in Lake Ontario following speeches (YGK News/Meaghan Beavis).
In an interview with YGK News, David McDonald, a professor in the Department of Global Development Studies, explained the steps Queen’s has taken ahead of joining the Blue Universities network.
McDonald believes that the university is equipped to teach water stewardship and eliminate practices that can be seen as harmful to the cause.
“When I was asked about, you know, whether it would make sense for Queen’s to become a Blue University, I realized that we already have the things that are required. You know, we’re doing research, we’re teaching, we’ve already phased out the use of bottled water,” said McDonald.
“I think we’ll see some more events like celebrating World Water Day, maybe more talks related to water issues, more public education around public water fountains…slowly advancing awareness and appreciation of water and the human right to water.”
After the speeches, McDonald invited attendees to join him in jumping into Lake Ontario to celebrate Queen’s commitment to water stewardship.
Queen’s University aims to build on its existing work through its partnership with the Blue Community Movement, including research, education and the promotion of responsible water use on campus.
