Transcript for Article 31 Presentation

On the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, FLOW ("For Love Of Water")

was invited to screen at the UN by General Assembly President Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockman.

The filmmakers also presented a petition with 20,000 names from all over the planet calling for a new human right:

the right to clean and potable water for all - Article 31.

It's been a very special day to hear Father Miguel, President Miguel d'Escoto

identify the similar concerns that were shown in this film:

FLOW: For Love Of Water, and to identify

the need for us to articulate that it is a public trust and a human right

we're hoping it becomes as an organising tour, an educational tour, a learning tour

and we thought that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was such a wonderful opportunity

How likely is it

that this issue of water as a human right in this day and age of wealth and technology

that every human being should have access to non-diseased water,

clean water,

how likely is that to become a reality?

The ambassador said that it's very possible

and particularly in light of the recent changes

to the concept of human rights that are going to include social human rights.

We're talking about the right to water for life

For drinking water, for life.

And I think it raises consciousness and it's hopefully one of the many threads

of right to water activism that is going on around the world with many groups doing many different things.

We thought it might be useful as a way to engage our audience

to let them sign a petition

to have the right to water considered as a human right

and I'm very proud and pleased to be able to present to you

the first 20,000 signatures

of the Article 31 petition

which just expresses from Irena and myself

and all the people involved in the film our great hope and ambition,

Embassador Miranda,

to see that the right to water is treated with the respect

that you have been discussing today and of course

that Father Miguel has been discussing today.

So it is a great pleasure and privilege to offer this to you. Thank you so much.

It's my privilege.

Article 31: Everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family,

and no one shall be deprived of such access or quality of water due to individual economic circumstance.

To sign the petition, please visit article31.org

To find out more about the global struggle for the Right to Water, please visit www.flowthefilm.com