Images. Northwestern students and faculty experience Rajasthan first-hand
THE DOCUMENTARY.
In the Thar desert outside Rajasthan, India, local rainfall is 4 inches per year (making it one of the most water distressed regions in the world). Impoverished communities have learned to capture rainwater by partnering with a local non-government agency, a Maharaja, Rajendra Singh (the Water Gandhi), and international funders. Now, women and young girls no longer walk eight miles a day to fetch water. Instead, with access to nearby wells, girls in these communities are able to stay in school.
Artistic circles has already documented diverse voices from the water scarce region of Rajasthan, echoing a request for attention to the water crisis. We also have the answering voices of concerned college students asking, “How do we play a role in this?”, “What can we do to help?”
In March 2010, a group of university students traveled to Rajasthan, India and experienced first-hand life in the most water-distressed region of the world. While there, they were immersed in village life and observed day-to-day water management practices applied to agriculture and rural health. Top water experts from Rajasthan visited Northwestern in June 2010 to meet with University faculty and administrators and develop a long-term study abroad program addressing global heath and water issues.
By documenting this groundbreaking exchange the water pressures project will serve as a reproducible model for global collaborations on campuses across the US.
Screenings
International Screenings of “Water Pressures: A Documentary”:
Past Screenings and Discussions:
Fall 2010
Water Pressures airs on NZTV in New Zealand. “Water Pressures:A Documentary” was selected to air on NZTV network in New Zealand throughout the Fall television season.
Northwestern University – November 4, 2010 – SEED and EPC Event
SEED (Students for Ecological and Environemntal Development) and EPC (Environmental Policy and Culture) department hosted the screening and discussion. Photo by Nan Stein.
University of North Carolina – October 2010 – Science and Health Conference
350 water experts, policy advocates, professors, and students from 50 countries met at UNC to share the challenges and successes of working on local and international water issues. Ann Feldamn did a screening of clips from the “Water Pressures” documentary, and led a roundtable disscussion. Photo by Kristi Schaefer.
Illinois Center For Broadcasting – October 12, 2010
October 12, 2010. Ann Feldman met with students from ICB, showed clips from the documentary and students disscussed issues. Photo by Bill Natale.
Conversations
Students Struggle
“If you own a home, you’ve got a water bill. So technically,
water is not free. I wish it was, because it’s a necessity. And
what do you do when people can’t afford their water bill? It
gets turned off.”
–Brittany Foster,
Illinois Center for Broadcasting
Is water a right or a commodity?
If
water is a right, how do we pay for the
public service of filtration, disinfection,
and distribution?
What unique role can students play in
water conservation?
Students In India
Northwestern University students travel to India to learn first-hand about the water crisis
in the Thar Desert. Students are introduced to the Jal Bhagirathi approach to
community water management through
building effective partnerships, and are
then immersed in an experiential learning
process that includes spending 24 hours
sharing everyday existence in severely
water-distressed rural villages.
What can Americans do to help in
developing countries? What can they
learn?
Gender and Education
“I personally never even considered water
much of an issue but now am convinced
it is one of the major environmental
issues facing our planet. Seeing how
water issues impact the lives of
Rajasthani women and how they react to
the problems that exist inspires me to
consider water activism as a future
career.” – Emmaline Pohnl
C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological &
Environmental Dev.)
Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities
for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water
management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
“If you own a home, you’ve got a water bill. So technically, water is not free. I wish it was, because it’s a necessity. And what do you do when people can’t afford their water bill? It gets turned off.” –Brittany Foster, Illinois Center for Broadcasting
Is water a right or a commodity?
If water is a right, how do we pay for the public service of filtration, disinfection, and distribution?
What unique role can students play in water conservation?
Students In India
Northwestern University students travel to India to learn first-hand about the water crisis
in the Thar Desert. Students are introduced to the Jal Bhagirathi approach to
community water management through
building effective partnerships, and are
then immersed in an experiential learning
process that includes spending 24 hours
sharing everyday existence in severely
water-distressed rural villages.
What can Americans do to help in
developing countries? What can they
learn?
Gender and Education
“I personally never even considered water
much of an issue but now am convinced
it is one of the major environmental
issues facing our planet. Seeing how
water issues impact the lives of
Rajasthani women and how they react to
the problems that exist inspires me to
consider water activism as a future
career.” – Emmaline Pohnl
C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological &
Environmental Dev.)
Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities
for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water
management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
Students In India
Northwestern University students travel to India to learn first-hand about the water crisis
in the Thar Desert. Students are introduced to the Jal Bhagirathi approach to
community water management through
building effective partnerships, and are
then immersed in an experiential learning
process that includes spending 24 hours
sharing everyday existence in severely
water-distressed rural villages.
What can Americans do to help in
developing countries? What can they
learn?
Gender and Education
“I personally never even considered water
much of an issue but now am convinced
it is one of the major environmental
issues facing our planet. Seeing how
water issues impact the lives of
Rajasthani women and how they react to
the problems that exist inspires me to
consider water activism as a future
career.” – Emmaline Pohnl
C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological &
Environmental Dev.)
Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities
for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water
management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
Northwestern University students travel to India to learn first-hand about the water crisis in the Thar Desert. Students are introduced to the Jal Bhagirathi approach to community water management through building effective partnerships, and are then immersed in an experiential learning process that includes spending 24 hours sharing everyday existence in severely water-distressed rural villages.
What can Americans do to help in developing countries? What can they learn?
Gender and Education
“I personally never even considered water
much of an issue but now am convinced
it is one of the major environmental
issues facing our planet. Seeing how
water issues impact the lives of
Rajasthani women and how they react to
the problems that exist inspires me to
consider water activism as a future
career.” – Emmaline Pohnl
C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological &
Environmental Dev.)
Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities
for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water
management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
Gender and Education
“I personally never even considered water
much of an issue but now am convinced
it is one of the major environmental
issues facing our planet. Seeing how
water issues impact the lives of
Rajasthani women and how they react to
the problems that exist inspires me to
consider water activism as a future
career.” – Emmaline Pohnl
C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological &
Environmental Dev.)
Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities
for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water
management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
“I personally never even considered water much of an issue but now am convinced it is one of the major environmental issues facing our planet. Seeing how water issues impact the lives of Rajasthani women and how they react to the problems that exist inspires me to consider water activism as a future career.” – Emmaline Pohnl C0-Chair, SEED (Students for Ecological & Environmental Dev.) Northwestern University
How does water scarcity affect access to education & economic opportunities for women & children? How can women become decision makers for water management?
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
East-West Conflict
“You need to have local experience and
understanding, as well as be invited in a community
and asked for your help before you get involved .”
Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your
roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
“You need to have local experience and understanding, as well as be invited in a community and asked for your help before you get involved .” Ellyn Walter, Water Advocates
When you travel abroad, what are your roles/responsibilities to the communities you visit?
How do you determine ways in which you
can help and ways in which you canʼt help?
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how
to explain their experience of water shortage in India
to friends from Northwestern University who live on
Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought
leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to
their campus. Students discuss how their lives have
changed since the trip to India, and what actions they
are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue
discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
Follow-Up Actions
Upon returning to the U.S., students grapple with how to explain their experience of water shortage in India to friends from Northwestern University who live on Lake Michigan. In June 2010, Northwestern brought leaders of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation from India to their campus. Students discuss how their lives have changed since the trip to India, and what actions they are taking to help with the global water crisis.
Create awareness of global water crisis: hold documentary screenings and facilitate issue discussion sessions.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.
Copyright Artistic Circles 2010 . All Rights Reserved. James W. Ewing + Geshe Gendun Gyatso, US photos: Matt Pierce. Site by 82.