On meeting world leaders

by Mark Duey, CEO, Water For People

I recently met with His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi. Meeting with a Head of State is always an incredible opportunity that also prompts a series of questions in my role as CEO at Water For People. One really important one: Is there anything that I can offer or achieve to make the meeting worthwhile instead of just simply a courtesy call or photo op for both of us?

Water For People began working in Malawi in 2000. Our team there, led by Country Director Ulemu Chiluzi, has done incredible work in forging close relationships with the government to impact the lives of more than one million people. We have long understood that systems strengthening championed at the highest level of government is the most sustainable way to ensure everyone has access to safe water and sanitation forever.

Because of that, meeting a Head of State is a significant opportunity for Water For People to advance its mission. Planning must be centered around how to create the best change for the people of this country.

A meeting of this level requires the support and coordination of other government officials and leaders who believe in what access to safe water and sanitation can do for their country. Malawi’s Minister of Water and Sanitation (Hon. Abida Mia, MP, who participated in All Systems Connect last year) knows us and our work well. Together with Ulemu, we planned a conversation that, we believed, would create more opportunities and commitment around water and sanitation in Malawi.

Sanitation and Water For All (SWA) is driving a Heads of State initiative that is supported by IRC, Water For People, and other organizations to secure commitments around water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) from the highest level of government in the countries where we work.  The Minister is working on this angle with the administration so I chose to focus on two areas for my comments: appreciation and confirming our ongoing commitment and support.

His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s administration made the historic decision to create a Ministry of Water and Sanitation. They have also committed to shifting from hand pumps to piped water supply, which will finally end the walk for water for millions of women and children. This is a big deal and will change lives.

Water For People is committed to continuing the partnership with the Government of Malawi and its people. We will support—however we can—a clear vision and commitment from the highest level for WASH as this enables true progress. Of all of the countries where we work, we’ve seen the most progress in India and in Rwanda, thanks in large part to the clear vision and leadership for WASH of Prime Minister Modi in India and President Kagame in Rwanda, respectively. And it’s one of the reasons that systems strengthening is an integral part of our strategy.

Truly ending the world’s water crisis will take bigger thinking, greater (and smarter) funding, and deeper collaborations. It will take governments with the will and commitment to create generational change.

Additional reading:

Kate Harawa, Water For People Director of Influence and Scale, Malawi, has written about climate financing and making sure the right funding gets to the right people.