Living Waters Museum: A Digital Platform for Sustainable and Inclusive Futures

Abstract

How can knowledge of traditional water practices in India help build more sustainable futures? Launched in 2017, the Living Waters Museum addresses the rich and diverse traditions of water heritage and practices in India. It is building a digital repository of visual knowledge that celebrates the past, inspires the present and is a source of learning to prepare for the future. Through the use of storytelling, digital media and the creative arts, the team behind the Living Waters Museum works in collaboration with young water professionals, conservation architects, urban planners and artists to raise awareness of our water challenges and the need to foster more inclusive and sustainable water futures. As a digital and virtual museum, the Living Waters Museum uses its digital platform to promote capacity building, outreach to youth, and equality in water access. It works toward sustainable development in a number of ways, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality (Living Waters Museum 2019) and SDG 6 on clean water. We are using our content to develop interdisciplinary, innovative and engaging water classrooms for children and youth (SDG 4 on quality education) and to build partnerships (SDG 17).