The Graubünden Water Association is setting up an international library in Reichenau/GR on the subject of water. Reichenau Castle is creating a place where knowledge and problem solutions for the future can be collected and developed. The project is supported by the Directorate for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The first “World Water Library” will be built in Reichenau Castle over the next few months. At the headquarters of the Grisons Water Association, selected documents, such as books and maps, digital information carriers such as photos, films and sound recordings, as well as objects such as water containers and water samples from all over the world, are collected and made available to the public.
The World Water Library should become a meeting place where interested parties from all over the world can exchange ideas about the use and protection of water resources and develop solutions for current and future problems.
The founding of the World Water Library is supported by the Federal Directorate for Development and Cooperation (SDC). “Cooperation with the SDC helps us to become better known beyond the canton and Switzerland and also to obtain materials from abroad for our initiative,” explained Ernst Bromeis, initiator of Graubünden Wasser.
“The SDC supports the World Water Library financially and with its contacts at home and within Germany,” says Daniel Maselli, policy advisor on water issues at the SDC. “We can imagine that water libraries will also be built in other countries around the world, similar to Reichenau, to help collect and disseminate knowledge and problem solutions relating to the topic of water.”
Water connects humanity
Graubünden Wasser and the SDC are calling on organizations and individuals all over the world to bring or send special books, pictures or films to Reichenau. “We all have a say in what knowledge about water the library will one day offer,” says Daniel Maselli. “The SDC is interested in stimulating similar initiatives in the global South. For example, there are already the first interested parties in Ivory Coast and Tunis. It would be a dream if, with this first WWB, we could initiate a global network in the interest of water as a basis for life.”
“Water connects all continents and all people,” said Ernst Bromeis. “Our library will start small, grow steadily and serve as a source of knowledge, inspiration and encounter over the years. We want to raise awareness of the element water and create a place where knowledge ranging from indigenous wisdom to artificial intelligence comes together for the benefit of humanity and to preserve an intact nature.”
Schools and learners dive into the water worlds
In Reichenau, school classes and students should help shape the World Water Library and benefit from it. Graubünden Wasser is working on the development of educational modules for different age groups and types of schools. Students should be able to exchange ideas with their peers all over the world through SDC contacts and work together on future issues.
About Graubünden water
The Graubünden Water Association actively promotes the importance of water in society by organising educational offers, workshops and events on the subject of water. From his symbolic headquarters in Reichenau, where the Upper and Vorderrhein flow together, he coordinates programs that are being implemented in the canton of Grisons and throughout Switzerland.
Address for submitting World Water Library content:
World Water Library
Graubünden water
Reichenauerstrasse 61
CH-7015 Reichenau-Tamins
Press release from Graubünden Wasser dated March 21, 2024.
Christian Gartmann has been the association's media relations officer since the founding of Graubünden Wasser in 2023.
Since 2013, he has been supporting its initiator, water ambassador Ernst Bromeis and his “The Blue Wonder” initiative.