03.02.2012
We have extended the application deadline for our weekend-workshop "Toiletten für Schulen und öffentliche Einrichtungen in Entwicklungsländern". ATTENTION: The workshop will be held in German only.
If you would like to know more, please check out the following leaflet and application form (German only):
27.01.2012
The entire week from the 16th-20th of January the GTO took its time to tackle the often problematic situation in Berlin's school-restrooms. Accompanied by veteran school-toilet-expert Tom Keating (USA), we visited numerous schools all over Berlin - from Zehlendorf to Friedrichsfelde, from elementary schools to high schools. By means of consultation and dialogue with principals, parent and student representatives, janitors and other relevant actors, we helped initiate an improvement of the toilet-situation.
As before, it became apparent that many difficulties can be overcome using simple methods, first of all the collaboration of the concerned. The positive feedback from the schools and the immense media coverage confirmed the importance of our school-toilet-effort.
The GTO will stay on the topic!
Here a choice of reports (in German):
Many thanks to the schools involved for their iniative and the excellent cooperation.
For their support of this action-week we are very thankful to our sponsors at cws-boco (www.cws-boco.de) und URIMAT (www.urimat.de).
18.01.2012
The GTO in cooperation with WECF (Women in Europe for a Common Future) offers a training course on "Toilets for schools and public buildings in developing countries". The weekend seminar will take place in Iffeldorf, near Munich on 11th and 12th February. It is intended for NGO workers who want to develop their knowledge on sustainable sanitation. The course topics range from technical possibilities and socio-cultural aspects to reuse of human excrements. Building up on this basic seminar, the advanced training course is going to take place on 3rd and 4th March in Berlin, in cooperation with WECF and GIZ.
!ATTENTION! Courses will be held in German only.
Click here to download the seminar programme and registration forms: (German only)
Basic training course in Iffeldorf, 11-12 February
Advanced training course in Berlin, 3-4 March
19.12.2011
As you may know from the news, the Philippines have been hit by a typhoon on Saturday. More than 700 people died, 10,000 are homeless. Cagayan de Oro has been hit the worst. There, the GTO has been working on a project since last summer. We want to help the region by supplying sanitation for the emergency housing to prevent diseases. We are calling for small and large donations. For more information check out the project site: betterplace.org.
December 9, 2011
Finally here: T Shirts and Mugs by GTO!
With different colourful motives our products are a true eyecatcher - and they are helpful in two ways: Half of the proceeds flow directly into our projects.
Furthermore, our products help to break the taboo that surrounds the sanitation issue. As a gift or for your personal use - nothing suits you more than a good deed!
Find and order our shirts and mugs here.
November 25, 2011
The website of the German WASH-network – washnet.de – is officially online! The website provides information about the members and their work within the network e.g. their contribution to the Bonn2011 Nexus-Conference. The WASH network hosted one of the 14 hot-topics sessions within the conference framework and placed successfully the importance of WASH for global food– and energy security in the spotlight.
We thank all members and partners for their support prior, during and after the conference.
November 21, 2011
Last Friday the TV channel 'arte' has broadcasted its knowledge program 'X:enius' with a special on the World Toilet Day. In this show about the importance of sanitation in Germany and the whole world, GTO chief executive Thilo Panzerbieter acts as an expert on the topic. You can watch the very informative and entertaining show at:
arte X:enius - "Ein Hoch auf die Toilette"(German only)
A 'must-see' for all friends of the GTO and everyone who's interested in the issue!
November 15, 2011
From November 7 to 11 the GTO was at the 12th benbi, the Berlin Developmental Education Program – under this year’s slogan “Urban Worlds – Of global developments and future visions”.
Together with school kids from elementary level up to secondary level we carried out workshops on hygiene education and sanitary systems in Germany and in cities and slums of developing countries. The workshop attendees participated keenly and we also had lots of fun throughout the week. In this way both sides could learn a lot from each other.
November 4, 2011
The GTO’s contribution about the founding of the German WASH network recently appeared in this year’s third newsletter of the ‘Forum for Environment and Development’. The article introduced the Network and its future function.
Much of the focus is currently on the preparation of the Bonn 2011-Conference on “The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus – Solutions for a Green Economy”. It takes place from 16-18 November 2011 and the Network will make a contribution to it. The results of the conference will be tied to next year’s Rio+20 summit. The Network aims to highlight the importance of water, hygiene and basic sanitation during the conference to anchor it on the agenda of the Rio+20 summit.
October 31, 2011
Six years ago the GTO was established. If the GTO was a child this year would have been its first school year. Therefore we are going to emphasize and strengthen our key focus area of “School toilets here and abroad” this coming year.
In January 2012 the GTO wants to highlight the improvement of the conditions of school toilets in Berlin and its environs for the duration of a full week.
In January 2012 the GTO wants to dedicate a whole week to the topic of the improvement of school toilets in Berlin and its environs.
Schools that are interested can contact us starting from now.
October 24, 2011
About 60 school children built a toilet throne in front of the historic Red City Hall to highlight the significance of sanitation for the social, economic and ecological evolution of man.
The motto of the event was “The Loo-volution – No development without toilets” which formed part of the education program for development “ gLOObalized World”. The project aims to raise the awareness and the commitment of school children to become more involved in development cooperation.
We would like to thank all the students who participated for their outstanding effort and commitment and especially Sandy, Lea, Patricia and Weronika for the great press conference.
With your enthusiasm and many creative ideas you really help us to communicate a most neglected issue.
Download of press material (incl. pictures)
Find out more about past events
