From my pre-assignment research, I came to learn that the event at Marina Barrage, the Singapore International Water Festival, was an event to give people a platform to learn more about how essential water is and to educate the public, especially youths, on how best to conserve it through various activities.

This annual event brought together experts in the water industry to discuss the sustainability of water and urban solutions that are cost effective and efficient. This is in step with this year’s theme, Sustainable Cities: Clean and Affordable Water.

SIWF was effective in a sense that the competitions and events were very closely tied to the purpose of the event which helped the youths build an interest in water issues.  Events included craft making showcases, dragon boating and the “walk on water” contest which had contestants gliding on the water surface with colourful buoyed sandals! With such engaging events, many of my peers had a glimpse of how urgent water scarcity is and how far ahead Singapore is in water leadership.

Posted by Joshua Brandon Cheah, School of Film & Media Stuides, Ngee Ann Polytechnic