Director James Orbinski to speak at "Water for Peace"

May 15, 2018

Dr. James Orbinski, with Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire, to Speak at First Annual Water for Peace Event in Support of the Rainmaker Enterprise

TORONTO, May 14, 2018 /CNW/ - One-third of the world's population now lives in water stressed areas, and by 2025, two-thirds of the world's people could face water shortages. Water and conflict are increasingly becoming interlinked. When conflict hits, infrastructure is destroyed. Today, we are not only dealing with destruction of water sources from war, but also from climate change and poor water stewardship. No country is immune to these challenges. In Canada, lack of access to clean water has put Indigenous communities at risk for years. Responding to the crisis that awaits and has already hit requires concerted and sustainable action. After relocating to Toronto, former South Sudanese refugee James Thuch Madhier established the Rainmaker Enterprise to address water scarcity in his native country.On Saturday, June 2^nd, 2018 at 7PM, the Rainmaker Enterprise will host the first annual Water for Peace cocktail reception at the Spoke Club in downtown Toronto. The event gathers humanitarians, environmental champions, peace activists, and industry leaders to learn, connect, and act on the water crisis. Water for Peace features keynote remarks by Lieutenant General (retired) the Honourable Roméo Dallaire and guest speech by Dr. James Orbinski, both of whom have devoted their lives to working on the frontlines of humanitarian crises, where lack of access to water drives conflict and human suffering.

The headlining performance will be delivered by Emmanuel Jal, who survived water scarcity as a child soldier in southern Sudan to become the world-renowned, Havel Prize-winning recording artist who advocates for a future of freedom and hope in South Sudan. Guest speakers also include Cecilia Adeng, the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations; and James Madhier, who has devoted his life to providing water for dignity as the Founder and Executive Director of the Rainmaker Enterprise.

These individuals understand the ultimate importance of water and are bringing this issue to all Canadians through Water for Peace. All funds raised are in support of the Rainmaker Enterprise's sustainable and scalable projects using solar energy to provide access to water in war-torn regions. The Rainmaker Enterprise has gained global recognition in its first year of operation. In 2017, the organization was shortlisted for the United Nations Environment Programme's Young Champions of the Earth Award. From May 7-10 of this year, the organization was selected among the world's 30 most innovative organizations addressing water scarcity to exhibit in the Water First category at Seeds&Chips, the world's leading food innovation summit. During the summit in Milan, the Rainmaker Enterprise received the Gruppo CAP Award as the most promising emerging organization addressing the water crisis.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly's High-level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace on April 25, Rainmaker Founder Mr. Madhier urged world leaders to acknowledge the linkages between water and conflict. "There is no development and peace without access to water," he stated. Water for Peace provides an opportunity for all Canadians to understand how water scarcity drives conflict, health challenges, forced displacement, and hunger; and to learn how they can take action.

For more information and to purchase event tickets, please visit www.waterforpeace.ca. Tickets are $200 each, with $150 eligible for a tax receipt provided by the Rainmaker Enterprise's charity partner, the Canada-Africa Partnership Network.

For further information:

Ms. Katie Fettes, The Rainmaker Enterprise

katie@rainmakerenterprise.org