The theme selected for 2003 is Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It! The theme calls on each of us to help safeguard the most precious source of life on our planet, water. This theme has been chosen to support the United Nations International Year of Freshwater, 2003 and World Water Day (22 March).

The agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. WED provides an excellent opportunity to translate that connection into action.