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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Rain School Initiative in Monsoon region to overcome climate crisis

Rain For All (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#SDGAction49796
    Description
    Description
    Rainwater is recognized as directly related to the current climate crisis, especially the phenomena of flood and drought. It, however, has been receiving less attention among water management practices or even ignored or managed off-site instead of source-control. As people in the Monsoon region have traditionally suffered from droughts and floods each year, rainwater is either a blessing or a curse, depending on how they manage rainwater. They might also have cultivated site-specific wisdom to tackle climate issues, which should be learned and shared widely. Young people in particular, who are the leaders and owners of the world, must know how to survive unprecedented climate extremes while living in peace with friends and neighbors by gaining and sharing the wisdom of their ancestors. In this context, school is believed to be an ideal place to teach and learn creative ideas and spread knowledge to the community and society. The objective of this initiative is to raise the awareness of schools and students in each country about the importance of rainwater through international activities. The friendship made among young students would lay the foundation for the resilience of not only world peace but also climate change combat. To this end, “Rain School” and “Rain School Network” are proposed here, as school is the best place to harvest rainwater for drinking, exchange wisdom, and transfer knowledge. At Rain School, a Rain for Drinking system consists of the roof catchment area, gutter, first flush diverter, series of tanks, pump, and fountain is constructed, producing drinking water that meets National Drinking Water Quality Standards. The system is designed using a multiple-barrier concept and nature-based treatment method, supplying 0.5-1L of water to each student daily. Collected rainwater quality and quality, as well as rainfall amount, are closely monitored mostly by the students. Water usage is self-regulated to minimize water shortage during the dry season. Remote consultation is provided through installed cameras and weekly reports. For innovative system maintenance and social promotion, a special group called BiTS (“Bi” means “rain” in Korean, “T” stands for “Teachers” and “S” for “Students”) is formed. This group takes part in various Beauty (art and cultural exchange), Technology (system monitoring), and Social activities. They decorate the system, look for local ancient wisdom about water, and make creative dances. They then share the gained knowledge with their family and community, other school members, and society. International conferences and contests among different Monsoon Rain Schools are organized, drawing the attention, interest, and willingness to join BiTS groups and the Rain School Network. Another innovative idea is the creation of a SkyWater Committee, which consists of all parties: the school authority, Parent Association, rainwater experts, and local authority. It decides on necessary financial assistance and activities to ensure the system’s safe and sustainable supply. Rain Schools are now operating in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Vanuatu. Laos and Myanmar’s Rain Schools will start operation in 2023. The Rain School Network in Monsoon will soon expand to other regions, such as South Asia (SARNET) and Africa.
    Expected Impact
    Although rainwater has been used for drinking purpose throughout human history, it has been recently ignored due to technical challenges, such as poor quality of the harvested water, shortage during the dry season, and the lack of good models to follow. The proposed Rain School Initiative tackles these shortcomings in several ways. First and foremost, schools and youth are the primary beneficiaries of this initiative. The installed Rainwater for Drinking (RFD) system provides good drinking water necessary for students, through which schools save money on purchasing costly purified water or overpriced fuel to boil water. Student health thus is improved (SDG3). Thanks to ensured water security, students no longer waste time fetching water from far away, giving them more adequate study and improving their education (SDG4). Students also turn active in finding their own solutions to drinking water and climate change. They could influence their parents to change the prevalent misunderstanding surrounding rainwater, encouraging their families to make similar RFD systems at home and in the local community. Given the fact that most of the household water management is done by females, the system also contributes to gender equality, removing a heavy burden on women and girls (SDG5). After growing up and reaching all walks of life, they would spread these ideas to unlock the unlimited potential of rainwater. Moreover, through diverse activities at schools and international networks, students understand and appreciate the wisdom of neighboring countries and make friends with peers from different nations and ethnic groups. Starting from the Monsoon region, this Rain School Network will expand to other countries, especially those suffering from the recent climate crisis (SDG13). As the ultimate result of this initiative is the creation of an International Rain School Network, it emphasizes and strengthens the global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17). When the Ministry of Education acknowledges the importance of rainwater and Rain School activities, they would devote effort to providing rainwater systems for all schools, even including it in the curriculum. Donors and international agencies then join hands, magnifying the Rain Schools in the world. This brand-new type of “micro-local ODA” outweighs the existing macro ODA in all aspects. In addition, when people recognize that roof-harvested rainwater is a good source of drinking water with proper design and maintenance, that RFD system is constructed using local materials and labor and sustainably maintained by local governance with a strong sense of ownership, it would expand to the whole society where the school belongs. This Rain School Initiative, therefore, serves as a game changer in achieving SDG 6.1. Last but not least, by taking advantage of rainwater – a free, precious and unlimited water resource that has often been called as “free gift from the sky” – this initiative also provides a brand-new approach to “Justice for All.” It certainly will trigger an advanced water management paradigm of “Managing All Water, by All, for All,” which helps promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development (SDG 16).
    Partners

    Rain For All
    Mekong Institute
    Seoul National University
    International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA)

    Additional information
    International Seminar 1) 2021 SIWI Seminar on International Youth Rainwater Network (https://youtu.be/mR5yBGKqBTc) 2) 2022 SIWI Seminar on Rain School Initiative in Monsoon Region to overcome climate crisis (https://youtu.be/vfeEBGmoLqw) Contest Winning Essays (https://baoquangninh.vn/hoc-sinh-quang-ninh-doat-giai-nhi-cuoc-thi-viet-luan-ve-hop-tac-mekong-han-quoc-3222932.html) 1) Rain School Network: The Key for Mekong-ROK Cooperation in Tackling Climate Change 2) Visit the World-Best Rainwater for Drinking System at Nguyen Binh Khiem School, Vietnam News clips on Rain School Activities 1) Vietnam (http://www.newkoreajournal.kr/590370), 2) Cambodia (https://fb.watch/hmWezvNhJG/) 3) Thailand (https://www.koratdaily.com/blog.php?id=15371&fbclid=IwAR0N2jOwRozNSMa5D1p-1RROu5gbDoY8LzG8pxdFLx1cgDsXgmbeOhUu3EU) 4) Vanuatu (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vanuatu+rainwater+Korea&docid=603514807154843713&mid=6C147C360C08EA5B7D026C147C360C08EA5B7D02&view=detail&FORM=VIRE) Homepage Links 1) World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/vietnam/news/detail/31-08-2019-who-snu-and-vihema-collaborate-to-improve-wash-in-ly-nhan-district-hospital-ha-nam-province) Congratulatory Remark from UNSG Ban Ki-moon 1) https://youtu.be/dQh3EvdeFlI

    Goal 4

    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

    Goal 4

    4.1

    By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

    4.1.1

    Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex

    4.1.2

    Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)

    4.2

    By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

    4.2.1

    Proportion of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex

    4.2.2

    Participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex

    4.3

    By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

    4.3.1

    Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex

    4.4

    By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

    4.4.1

    Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

    4.5

    By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
    4.5.1

    Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated

    4.6

    By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

    4.6.1

    Proportion of population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills, by sex

    4.7

    By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

    4.7.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education and (d) student assessment

    4.a

    Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

    4.a.1

    Proportion of schools offering basic services, by type of service

    4.b

    By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
    4.b.1

    Volume of official development assistance flows for scholarships by sector and type of study

    4.c

    By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States

    4.c.1

    Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level

    Goal 6

    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

    Goal 6

    6.1

    By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

    6.1.1

    Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

    6.2

    By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

    6.2.1

    Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

    6.3

    By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

    6.3.1

    Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

    6.3.2

    Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

    6.4

    By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
    6.4.1

    Change in water-use efficiency over time

    6.4.2

    Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

    6.5

    By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

    6.5.1

    Degree of integrated water resources management 

    6.5.2

    Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

    6.6

    By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
    6.6.1

    Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

    6.a

    By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
    6.a.1

    Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

    6.b

    Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

    6.b.1

    Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

    Goal 13

    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Goal 13

    13.1

    Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

    13.1.1

    Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

    13.1.2

    Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

    13.1.3

    Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

    13.2

    Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

    13.2.1

    Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    13.2.2

    Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

    13.3

    Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

    13.3.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

    13.a

    Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

    13.a.1

    Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

    13.b

    Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities


     

    13.b.1

    Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    Name Description
    School Rainwater For Drinking System at Heryun School, Port-Villa, Republic of Vanuatu (capacity 20 m3)
    School Rainwater For Drinking System at NBK School, Halong City, Vietnam (capacity 20 m3)
    School Rainwater For Drinking System at Kobol School, Phnomphen, Cambodia (capacity 20 m3)
    School Rainwater For Drinking System at Thailand (capacity 20 m3)
    Financing (in USD)
    Mekong Institute through MKCF (Mekong Korea Cooperation Fund from Republic of Korea), US$500,000
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Rain For All (Technical expertise)
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Seoul National University (staff)
    False
    Action Network
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    Timeline
    01 January 2022 (start date)
    31 December 2023 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Rain For All
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Africa
    2. Asia and Pacific
    Other beneficiaries

    Schools in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Pacific Islands
    Schools in Developed countries in the world

    Countries
    Cambodia
    Cambodia
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
    Myanmar
    Myanmar
    Republic of Korea
    Republic of Korea
    Switzerland
    Switzerland
    Thailand
    Thailand
    Vanuatu
    Vanuatu
    Vietnam
    Vietnam
    Contact Information

    Mooyoung, Prof.