Videos - فيديو

Unique audio-visual content aimed at communicating the water challenges we face along the shores of the Mediterranean.

Water Scarcity in Cyprus

AMWAJ Reporting

Cyprus is one of the most water-stressed countries in Europe. The island nation, surrounded by the salty waters of the Mediterranean Sea, relies on desalination for as much as 80% of its freshwater supply. The process can be costly and energy consuming. With the Mediterranean heating around 20 times faster than any other region on the planet due to the climate crisis, the country’s younger generations will grow up in a different environment to that of their parents and grandparents. During a trip to Cyprus in 2022, AMWAJ spoke to several generations of local people to hear about their experience of water scarcity and learn more about their relationship with water on the island.

Lampedusa’s Journey Towards Sustainable Water Solutions

Water-mining Case Study

Lampedusa is an island with no freshwater reserves. Apart from rainwater and some reservoirs, the rest of the freshwater is all imported. And all around the island is the salty water of the Mediterranean Sea. In the 1990s, Lampedusa was a frontrunner in using photovoltaic solar panels to power the desalination plant to provide freshwater to the population. However, due to local politics, the PV panels fell into disrepair. Now, with the support of the EU-funded project WATER-MINING, there are pilot tests ongoing next to the desalination plant to find alternative ways to recover valuable resources from the brine generated from the desalination process. The Lampedusa desalination plant and the adjacent testing site are Case Study 1 of 6 for the WATER-MINING project. Learn more in this exclusive interview with Angelo Catania, Technical Manager from SELIS overseeing operations of the desalination plant.

Visit: https://watermining.eu
Lampedusa: https://watermining.eu/case-studies/cs1-lampedusa-italy/

Sparking water action through storytelling

Tabadul Webinar

To mark this year’s World Water Day, we celebrated our first Tabadul of 2023 where we talked about the power that stories have for sparking water action in the region. Tabadul, meaning “exchange” in Arabic, is an AMWAJ Community space for water stakeholders and those interested in water around the Mediterranean to connect and exchange knowledge, ideas and useful tools which can help us drive real action in the region and have a lasting impact.

In this session, we will learn about storytelling techniques and tools that can help you better connect with your audience and spark action in them. The workshop revolved around a growing issue in the Mediterranean: water pollution. In line with the theme of World Water Day 2023 ‘Accelerating Change’, we gave visibility to initiatives and tools that are accelerating change to tackle marine litter pollution. We showcased data-driven projects that are using creative narratives to drive action in marine ecosystems preservation and against plastic pollution.

Meet the initiatives:

– MedWaves is the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Center for sustainable consumption and production (SCP). Learn more: https://www.medwaves-centre.org/
– Visualizing Palestine (VP) was established in 2012, and is dedicated to using data and research to visually communicate Palestinian experiences to provoke narrative change. Learn more: https://www.visualizingpalestine.org/
– Quo Artis – Art and Science Foundation is an international non-profit organization that seeks to generate connections between art, science and technology, acting as a bridge between professionals in these fields. Learn more: https://quoartis.org/
– Sketching the Move supports dialogue and helps organizations through a universal language: drawing. Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanny-did…

What does the Mediterranean mean for you?

Mediterranean Day Video

The video was launched to celebrate the first-ever Day of the Mediterranean (28 November 2021). AMWAJ asked the Nest City Lab community what does the Mediterranean means for them. The Day of the Mediterranean aims to act as a timely reminder that our similarities overcome our differences, the cultural dimension being an important component of who we are and where we come from.

The Invisible Water Short Film

Project Animation Video

This short film was launched on World Water Day (22 March 2021) and aims to make us reflect upon how we use and consume water, without being aware of it: this is about so-called ‘virtual water’ – the ‘invisible water’ that goes into making products around the world, from food to household goods, clothing or buildings. This short film sensitises us to the water we most often do not see.

The Fresh Water Short Film has been awarded the Botín Foundation Water Observatory prize on Sustainable Water Management for its audiovisual artistic project on water consumption. The short film co-produced by AMWAJ and the Egyptian non-studio won Category B for audiovisual artistic projects focusing on freshwater, aquatic ecosystem and water conservation. The award aims to recognise the innovative audiovisual projects developed by young professionals aimed at awakening the talent and awareness of children and young people in relation to sustainable water management.

Learn more

Communicating the shift towards water resilience

Project Concept Video

This video was launched on World Environment Day (5 June 2021) following the kick off of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and invites people to reflect on our relationship with nature. Capturing memories, life events, sacred moments and journeys created with and by water, the video explores this spiritual relationship, exemplifying AMWAJ’s goal of protecting, restoring and enhancing water ecosystems, and preserving those memories and stories.