The Collaborative Council promotes global and national advocacy efforts by members and partners to raise awareness of the humiliating and harmful social environment of the unserved poor, especially women and children, and to facilitate lasting change by urging to place water supply, adequate sanitation and hygiene firmly on the political agenda.

The Collaborative Council's advocacy activities are guided by the principles that safe water and adequate sanitation are human rights and key components in improved health and sustainable economic and social development. By doing so, the Collaborative Council aims to incorporate water and sanitation more prominently into the broader dialogue on sustainable development.

The Collaborative Council carries out advocacy campaigns at both the community level and at the national, or government, level. This is done with the dual aim of building grassroots' support for improved water, sanitation and hygiene schemes, and of convincing policy leaders to take up the challenge of providing water and sanitation for all people.

• Advocacy in Action: the Global WASH Campaign

WSSCC maintains a strong presence in the field, with active advocacy partners in 36 countries. In order to support and enhance their efforts, the WSSCC Secretariat produces advocacy tools and materials that can be used to effectively promote sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene programmes.

The Collaborative Council's other advocacy initiatives include:

• Sanitation & Hygiene Week
• Women Leaders for WASH