President's message: Dr. Eliane Lagasse

(from www.soroptimistsgoforwater.nl)

Welcome to the ‘Water and Sanitation’ website of SI/ Europe, where you can find information about our water and sanitation related ‘projects and events’.

The Seventh Millenium Development Goal is to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. Soroptimist International, whose mission is to create opportunities to change the life of women and girls, pledge their support to this goal.

An adequate supply of ‘clean water and sanitation for all’ is still an utopian ideal even in our western world. Industrial pollution and inappropriate agriculture are potential sources for problems and conflicts everywhere. Climate change with its hotter growing seasons and increasing water scarcity, is projected to reduce future harvests in much of the world, raising the spectre of a perpetual food crisis.

Health and easy access to health care are a necessity for a good life but one of the primary conditions for a healthy life are access to clean water and sanitation. Every day 30 000 people die of illnesses caused by foul or polluted water, every 8 seconds a child dies of diarrhea or other water related causes. This is totally unacceptable! I am convinced that Soroptimist International can and must make a difference!


I hereby dear ask every Soroptimist of the European Federation, during my presidency, to continue working on water and sanitation projects for the next 2 years. I urge to focus on health related projects. That means lobbying to regulate industrial pollution as well as sewage control or access to clean water and working on projects concerning health care, sanitation, irrigation and water.

This website will keep you updated on Soroptimist and international events, information and projects related to water, health and sanitation.

Would you like to participate in an existing water project or carry out your own idea’s ? The Project Exchange Pool is there for you to join in!

Are you seecking experience or would you like to share your knowledge please indicate your field of interest at the Experience Exchange Pool. It is co-operation where you give your time and professional expertise to help realize and so achieve a sustainable result.

During the International SI Convention in 2011, each Federation will be able to present its realizations. I am convinced that, after 4 years of hard work, we will be able to present excellent results on the Soroptimist go for Water theme!

Warm Soroptimist regards
Eliane Lagasse

Personal Message from Dr. Eliane Lagasse, President of the Federation of Soroptimist International of Europe (SI/E) from October 1, 2009 to October 1, 2011.