On Sunday 22 March, World Water Day, the Agora of the Earth’s Inhabitants and Rise For Climate are organising a European march for water, the climate and peace in Brussels, with a gathering at 1.30 pm at Place Albertine, where Bernard Tirtiaux’s statue *La Soif* will be on display, followed by *Où va le bleu?* an epic and indignant farce” directed by Pietro Pizzuti, and a march towards the European Quarter at Place Jean Rey (departure at 2.30 pm)
Let us reject the war waged by the rich and the powerful against the right to life for all!
On the occasion of World Water Day 2026, and in a world increasingly dominated by violence and injustice , it is imperative that we no longer allow the murderous fury of the strongest to devastate the water that sustains life, destroy the Earth’s climate, continue to prey on the future, and demolish humanity.
The WHO estimates that 2 million people die each year from unsafe water. 2.2 billion people have no access to drinking water and 4.2 billion lack regular and safe access to drinking water. 4.4 billion lack basic health protection, and half of the world’s poorest population (4.5 billion people) possess less wealth than the world’s seven richest billionaires (latest OXFAM report).
A recent UN report highlights a global water crisis, as the world consumes more fresh water than it is able to replenish. Then there is the Earth’s climate in peril. All of this reflects the bankruptcy of a predatory economic system that has poisoned the water, the soil and the air, is suffocating the planet with gases and plastics, and is ruining humanity through wars.
The promoters and criminal perpetrators of this collapse continue to demand more deregulation and more unlawful power. We assert that humanity and the life of the Earth Community do not need ‘fewer’ global legal and political rules, but ‘more’ rules that are just and in the collective interest. The latter liberate. The law of the strongest oppresses.
For this reason, we will march on 22 March in support of the regeneration of life on Earth , to defend the global commons of the Planet, guarantee the universal right to life for all, eradicate inequality and poverty , and promote world peace.
To this end, we will march to demand that the EU authorities show the courage and wisdom to no longer support the predators’ war against life , but
– reaffirm in law that polluting water , contaminating the soil and poisoning the air is a crime,
– launch a new European Green Pact for Life, instead of ‘Re-arming Europe’. Believing that the future of the European Union can be saved through war is an illusory solution, a path of escape. 80 years after ‘Never again war…’ returning to war constitutes a crushing historical defeat for Europe’s political ruling classes. War will not solve any current problems. It will destroy the EU!
promote eco-global justice by starting with the imposition of a 1% global tax (the ‘tax for life’) on the wealth of billionaires, as proposed by countless NGOs and even financial institutions,
– ensure compliance with and enforcement of the following principles: the people ‘reject war’, as enshrined in the Italian Constitution; no government may declare war on another state without the approval of the ‘national’ parliament, as enshrined in the US Constitution. Yet President Trump (along with his accomplice Netanyahu) has decided to launch a war on Iran without seeking the approval of Congress. His war is illegal. The EU cannot support an illegal war; any declaration of war must obtain authorisation from the UN Security Council. Here too, the attack on Iran is illegal under international law! A deliberate illegality, based on a total flouting of the principles of the UN. The same illegality found in the devastation of water resources, the destruction of the Earth’s climate, the denial of the right to life, and the disregard for global public commons.
The European Union must rediscover the meaning of legality, responsibility, justice, respect and solidarity.
Here is the call for a ceasefire in the Middle East and the protection of water ( in french) mainly written by EU economist Riccardo Petrella author of The Water Manifesto in 1998
Program
1.30pm to 2.05pm: Gathering at Place Albertine. Unveiling of Bernard Tirtiaux’s ‘Statue of Thirst’ and street performance ‘Où va le Bleu?’ – an epic and indignant farce directed by Pietro Pizzuti
2.05pm Why we are marching:
Globally: to secure the universal right to water as a common good in the context of the UN Summit in December, which treats water as an economic commodity
At European level: against the deregulation of standards and in favour of strengthening public water services
At local level: no to rising water bills (+12% in January 2026) and the right to water for all Brussels residents, and for the refinancing of Vivaqua
For the climate, as climate change is exacerbating the water crisis
For peace, as it is impossible to realise the universal right to water in a world at war
14:10 European Water Movement Athénaïs Georges
14:15 World March of Women Belgium Marcela de la Pena
14:20 Song about water and choir with Maria Palatine https://youtu.be/23tkNKfguK4?is=-aMYMMvWgX48EjXb
14:30 DEPARTURE: Place de l’Albertine – Boulevard de l’Impératrice – Rue Collégiale – Rue Bois Sauvage – Rue de Ligne – Rue Royale – Rue du Congrès – Place Madou – Avenue des Arts – Rue Joseph II – Chaussée d’Etterbeek – Place Jean Rey
4.00 pm Arrival at Place Jean Rey: sound systems and microphones set up
Additional speeches by European NGOs on the deregulation of standards on pesticides, PFAS…
Artistic programme
Doux rêveur, singer for the climate
Laurence Vielle, actress, reading on water
Agnès/Ondine and song about water
Créateur 4, poet of the Earth
B Astre, singer
DJ Kevvv
5.30 pm End and dispersal
Initial supporters
Climate Express
Espirito Mundo
European Water Movement
CSC International Service
Future Generations
No to Buckets!
Extinction Rebellion and the Blue Rebels
Sito ULB
Green Team VUB
Higher Arts Schools in Struggle
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels
Attac Brussels
Pour Press
Stop Fossil Subsidies
World Women’s Marches Belgium
Burokratiemonster (artivism)
Collectif Aqua
Kreativa
University of the Common Good, Paris
Ile-de-France Water Coordination
Théâtre Poême
Millennium Festival
Canopea
Free Tap Water in Belgium
Youth for Climate
Youth for Climate LLN
The European Federation of Public Service Unions ( EPSU)
Senne Coordination
Inter-Environnement Brussels
CNAPD
Public Figures and Artists
Riccardo Petrella, political economist and author of the Water Manifesto in 1998
Bernard Tirtiaux: writer and sculptor
Maria Palatine, harpist
Pietro Pizzuti, author and actor
Soumaya Hallak, opera singer
Serge Federico, graphic designer
Igor, architect and visual artist
Getch, singer
Laurence Vielle, Marie-Gaelle Janssens, Mathilde Lévêque Quévy, actresses
Julpi, painter and illustrator.
Doux rêveur (Tom White Shoes)
Agnès Lohest, Compagnie Zanni
Oulia and B-Astre, singers
Contacts : riseforclimatebelgium@gmail.com 0499.43.93.50
Agora of the Inhabitants of the Earth : Riccardo Petrella, economist, author Water Manifesto in 1998 : 0475.28.88.56
Agora des Habitants de la Terre artists’ collective: 0474.98.64.63
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