Sarah Dickin Young Water Ambassador

Sarah Dickin has been chosen out of the three nominated Ambassadors selected from an international group of 15 young candidates. The other nominated ambassadors were Stephen Nyende-Byakika from Uganda, living in South Africa, and Josanne Derks from the Netherlands. Although they did not become the YWP Ambassador 2013, they are willing to support Sarah and being involved for the promotion of IWW 2013 and strengthen the YWP-network.

The chairman of the jury Richenel Small Director at Overliggend Waterschap MCP in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname emphasised that it was a really difficult choice. But there can be only one winner! Sarah was elected because the jury considered that she had the most integrated approach of solving the challenges we are facing in the water sector.

 Sarah is 26 years old and currently is a doctoral student at McMaster University, in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences. Her research involves developing a vulnerability mapping tool to address global water-health challenges. She is also part of a unique collaborative graduate program called Water Without Borders, run through the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, the current chair of UN-Water.

By becoming the new Young Water Ambassador, she will have the responsibilities among others of improve the international YWP network; carry out the messages and results of IWW and build and promote the 2013 YWP-programme.

Her ambition as the new Ambassador is to create a bridge between young people and the water sector, so that they can bring their new ideas and innovative solutions to face the global water issues. She will work really hard to build an inspiring and exiting Young Water Professional Programme for the IWW 2013 and will make young people enthusiastic to take part in it.