The World Toilet Organization: Focus, Key Initiatives, Projects- UPSC Notes

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit organization aiming to improve toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. It was founded in 2001 with 15 members and has grown to 151 member organizations in 53 countries. The WTO is also the organizer of the World Toilet Summit, the Urgent Run, and initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day.

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What is The World Toilet Organization?

The World Toilet Organization is a global non-profit organization committed to improving sanitation worldwide. It promotes awareness about global sanitation concerns, encourages best practices, and advocates for access to safe and hygienic toilets for all. The World Toilet Organization was established in 2001 and has grown to include multiple member organizations in different countries. 

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History

Jack Sim founded The World Toilet Organization in Singapore in 2001 to address the global sanitation crisis. It began as a platform to bring attention to the lack of access to proper toilets. In 2013, the United Nations officially recognized World Toilet Day on November 19, following The World Toilet Organization's advocacy. Since then, the organization has led global efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and public awareness.

Initiatives

The World Toilet Organization runs several initiatives, like the World Toilet Summit. A global conference on sanitation solutions, and the World Toilet College. Which trains sanitation workers and promotes hygiene education. It also leads World Toilet Day campaigns and collaborates with governments and NGOs to build toilets. The initiative came into force to improve sanitation infrastructure in underserved areas.

World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day (WTD) was founded on 19 November 2001, and the inaugural World Toilet Summit (WTS) was held on the same day. Created by the World Toilet Organization WTO, World Toilet Day's supreme purpose is to draw attention to the ongoing global sanitation crisis. NGOs, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the international community joined to mark the global day. The United Nations also officially recognizes this day due to the need to raise awareness about the world's sanitation crisis. 

Urgent Run

The World Toilet Organization commemorates World Toilet Day (WTD) annually with the Urgent Run. The Urgent Run is a call for urgent action to end the sanitation crisis. It aims to unite communities worldwide to raise awareness for the global sanitation challenge and engage people with sanitation issues in their local communities. 

For the past few years, in the lead-up to United Nations World Toilet Day, communities worldwide have come together to organize sanitation-themed Urgent Runs in varying formats and include fun runs, educational events, toilet cleaning programs, awareness walks, carnivals, and even motorbike parades. They are organized by community groups, companies, universities, volunteers, and NGOs to engage their local communities in their sanitation challenges.

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The World Toilet Organization- An Overview Table

Projects supported by The World Toilet Organization

The World Toilet Organization supports projects such as building affordable toilets in rural and urban slums, especially in developing countries. It also backs the Rainbow School Toilet Project in China and sanitation improvement programs in India and Africa. These projects focus on toilet construction, hygiene education, and empowering local communities for sustainable sanitation.

Rainbow School Toilet Initiative

The World Toilet Organization's Rainbow School Toilet Initiative was launched in 2015. In 2016, four rural schools with an estimated 1,300 students (an average of 300 students per school) benefited from the new toilet buildings equipped with a recyclable wastewater treatment plant.

Floating Community Toilet Project

Until 2018, no proper sanitation existed for the almost 100,000 people living in floating communities on Cambodia's Tonlé Sap Lake. To address sanitation issues in these floating communities, Wetlands Work (WW) developed the HandyPod, which contains raw sewage and treats it by harnessing various biological processes. This project aims to eliminate open defecation by providing sanitation systems to floating schools and teaching students to use toilets; improve sanitation and hygiene; reduce school absences due to diarrhea; increase school attendance, especially for girls; and drive demand for household toilets.

The World Toilet Organization and Wetlands Work (WW) raised funds for the project through various platforms. In 2016, eight HandyPods were installed, befitting approximately 900 students and 650 indirect beneficiaries in their households.

World Toilet College

The World Toilet College (WTC) started as a social enterprise in 2005 with the belief that there is a need for an independent world body to ensure best practices and standards in toilet design, cleanliness, and sanitation technologies. While the lack of toilets is an endemic problem, poor management and hygienic maintenance are equally serious issues. A well-kept toilet will encourage proper usage and prevent deadly diseases.

Since 2005, World Toilet College (WTC) has trained more than 5,000 people in various courses and conducted programs and courses.

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