The HSBC Water Programme - Catch the Drop team has been carrying out a number of activities during the last two scholastic years that dovetail perfectly with the objectives of a World Water Week (WWW), held between 23 and 28 August in Stockholm.
The global event brought together representatives from NGOs, corporates, local and national government, academia and media, to discuss and debate the global challenges in relation to water. Malta is high on the list of countries with acute water challenges.
In March, HSBC Malta held its own World Water Week activities that involved thousands of students and many local councils. The weeklong events included the launch of a new water saving project, Hippo, at the Archbishop Seminary, a walkabout at the Marsa Primary School, an art exhibition at the Presidential Palace, give-aways of water-themed gifts at the Malta International Airport and an expert workshop on water.
HSBC Malta has worked with the government's summer school programme, SkolaSajf 2015, to raise awareness about water conservation. A private summer school, St Joseph Summer Club also teamed up with the HSBC Water Programme - Catch the Drop campaign, focussing its activities on water preservation. The culminating activity of the St Joseph Summer Club will be an evening of performing arts at the Pjazza Teatru Rjal Valletta on 2 September in aid of WaterAid.
Glenn Bugeja, HSBC Water Programme coordinator said: "The HSBC Water Programme - Catch the Drop is the largest ever campaign of its kind in Malta and aims to forge a blueprint for progress on sustainability of water as a resource. The programme has two theme songs Catch the Drop and Water is Life that were created in collaboration with an international team of musicians and seek to reinforce the water conservation message."
The HSBC Water Programme is a five-year, US$100 million partnership with Earthwatch, WaterAid and WWF, three non-government organisations that rank among the world's most respected environmental and sustainable development organisations. The programme promotes sustainable water use through education and donations to specific water projects.