UN Address at Global Climate Change Summit Inspires Members

	Tadao Iokibe accepts another Voyageur award on behalf of Tsuguo Oku of Buseikaku Ltd. of Tokyo Japan.

On Thursday evening, 26 February, an intimate but dedicated group of international companies gathered at historic Waverly House in Woodstock, IL to celebrate waterless printing.  Printers and vendors came from Japan, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States.  They shared accomplishments and their favorite projects and talked about some of their successful marketing strategies.

United Nations Participation
There were many hi-lights of the 3-day event, but certainly at the top of the list was a video conference with Helene-Marie Gosselin, Director of UNESCO’s New York office and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Representative to the United Nations.  We were astonished to learn that there are no fewer than 26 departments and agencies within the UN that are charged with the governance of water.

	Accepting the WPA’s Voyageur award on behalf of Julie Leonhard is her husband Ted Weisswasser.  Julie conceived the idea for the now famous butterfly logo.

Ms. Gosselin was very forthcoming in her remarks regarding the United Nations Global Compact, the CEO Water Mandate and the general precarious nature of the world’s fresh water supply. 

She began her remarks by reminding us that the UN’s water concept is “Water is Life”.  Every person on the planet requires 20 to 50 litres of fresh water per day.  In developed countries, daily water usage is 200 to 300 litres.  (See additional critical water statistics in the April/May 2003 issue of Currents) She acknowledged that water is a key vector in climate change, and that access to fresh water has sometimes been used to wage war.

The UN Global Compact, launched in July 2000, is a leadership initiative endorsed by world-wide chief executives. It seeks to align business operations and strategies everywhere with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

	The Butterfly Vision Award for environmental accomplishments is awarded to Chris Kempers (left) of the Netherlands.

The three environmental principles are: Business should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and encourage to development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Launched in July 2007, the CEO Water Mandate is designed to assist companies in the development, implementation and disclosure of water sustainability policies and practices.  Endorsing CEOs acknowledge that in order to operate in a more sustainable manner, and contribute to the vision of the UN Global Compact and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, they have a responsibility to make water-resources management a priority, and to work with governments, UB agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to address this global water challenge.

Clearly, the environmental principles and fresh water conservation are at the heart of waterless printing benefits, and Ms. Gosselin seemed to recognize that this technology compliments the UN’s vision of the world’s water crisis.
Naturally, we were eager to join the CEO Water Mandate as a group, but Ms. Gosselin suggested we would be better served joining as individual members as well.  There is no cost to join, just the passion and dedication to make a difference.  Participation is restricted to corporate endorsers of the UN Global Compact, but that can come as late as six months after endorsing the Water Mandate.  We encourage WPA members to affix the endorsement of their Chief Executive Officer at lobalcompact@un.org.

	The Persistence Award went to Amos Communications for their 30 year quest for waterless capability. From Right is Arthur Lefebvre, Brian Amos and Harold Amos.

The third Working Conference of the CEO Water Mandate is 16-18 March in Instanbul, Turkey.  We look forward to the release of a UN Water Report at that time, more than two years in development.  You can find much, much more information at this internet web site: www.unglobal-compact.org.

Encouraging Reports from JWPA
Mr. Tadao Iokibe, executive Secretary of the Japanese Waterless Printing Association, honored us by traveling to the United States to attend the Summit.  He brought with him detailed, positive information regarding the amazing success of the waterless printing process in Japan.

In case you missed the incredible announcement in February Currents,  a direct mail campaign to print buyers in Japan registered a 25.8 percent recognition level of waterless printing’s butterfly logo.   Not only did they recognize the logo, but a full 29.2 percent of the print buyers know of waterless printing.  That can be a powerful weapon in your arsenal of marketing messages.

Mr. Iokibe advocated the use of the term “Environmentally Superior” when refering to the benefits of waterless printing, rather than “Environmentally Friendly”.  It’s a stronger, more positive reference.

	Brian Amos told the story of his firm’s long and harrowing journey into waterless printing.

Sharing of Experiences
The printers in attendance each shared some of their more successful projects and campaigns.
Brian Amos, President of Amos Communications (US), shared the company’s history and some of Harold Amos’ waterless eccentricities, which will be high-lighted in an upcoming issue of Currents.

Jay Mandarino, President of CJ Graphics (Canada) discussed their most successful projects, focusing on environmental and quality.  CJ Graphics makes sure they use all of the logos they can, such as FSC Certification, Canada’s Bullfrog logo, Soy Ink and, of course, WPA’s butterfly.

Members browsed several sample tables with printing from around the world.  Also included were outstanding examples from label specialist press manufacturer Codimag of France and canvas art prints on material supplied by Worthen Industries of the USA.		Among the many exchanges of information and ideas were these between Ruud Kempers (left, Terry Murakawa and Chris Kempers.		JWPA Executive Secretary Tadao Iokibe brough news of startling reductions of VOCs among Japanese printers but no word on the amount of water they save.  It would be interesting to compare the VOC, CO2 and water savings for a more complete picture. The WPA brought the water issue to the attention of its members in the April/May 2003 Issue of Waterless Currents.