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  • Policy and practice

Policy, practice and advocacy

An in-depth look at the different areas of our work and our approach to delivering change and transforming lives.

We work with local partners and communities to improve access to water and sanitation and promote good hygiene. We campaign and engage decision-makers to bring about a world where everyone everywhere has these essentials by 2030.

Visit the policy, practice and advocacy pages of our global website to find out more about how we work. This area is divided into themes – from climate change to water – so you can dig deeper into the issues that interest you.

Each section features links to further resources and latest news on developments in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. To stay up to date, you can sign up to WASH Matters, our quarterly policy, practice and advocacy newsletter.

Take me to the policy, practice and advocacy pages >

Our priority themes

View our global policy, practice and advocacy pages >

Global Goals

At the UN General Assembly in September 2015, member states decided on a set of new 'Sustainable Development Goals' or 'Global Goals' for the world to work towards to end extreme poverty by 2030. The new Global Goals include a dedicated goal for water and sanitation to tackle the crisis head on.

Our approach >

Nurse listening to heartbeat of pregnant lady

Health

Safe water, a clean living environment and a clean body are essential for good human health. By focusing on health in our research, programme and advocacy work, our efforts to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene are better placed to transform the lives of those we reach.

The value of WASH >

Maintenance on a water point in Bangladesh

Sustainability

Improvements to water supply and sanitation services should deliver permanent benefits to their users. Unless we give serious attention to the issue of service sustainability and permanent behaviour change, we will not achieve universal and lasting access to water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030.

Delivering lasting change >