Introducing the speaker, Jamal Chaouki, a full professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, paid homage to Pierre Carreau, a full professor in the same department who will be retiring this December after a 45-year career. Professor Carreau's name is being given to the prestigious seminars that will feature guests selected for their excellence, passion, rigour, integrity and outstanding contribution to society, reflecting the attributes of this esteemed professor.

Ms. Pereša began her talk by presenting a brief history of the young Foundation launched by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté. She also provided powerful numbers on Canadians' water consumption, which is among the highest in the world. With some people having only five litres of water a day to survive - while Canadians each use an average of 600 litres a day - the ONE DROP Foundation focuses on developing countries that must cope with urgent problems of access to water, but also on developed countries that have the means to share wealth and that have very high per-capita water consumption.

Ms. Pereša emphasized ONE DROP's innovative approach, built upon three basic values:
- Water, a vital resource;
- Water, a common heritage;
- Water, a requirement for solidarity.

ONE DROP selects its projects based on very clear criteria. The speaker showed us that the Foundation does not choose the easiest path but focuses mainly on the most arid places on the planet, often found in clusters, thereby favouring knowledge transfer between regions.

The Foundation's three-faceted approach is also innovative and has three aspects. The technical aspect provides for setting up cisterns, wells, water filters, eco-energy ovens and appropriate latrines. The equipment is not sophisticated, helping make it longer-lasting. The credit aspect provides an opportunity to institute borrowing and repayment concepts, enabling families to triple their annual income by giving them the means to cultivate a small garden, increase their production and sell their products, thereby breaking the poverty cycle. The educational aspect has a very special "touch" with the Cirque du Soleil. Through youth workshops and multidisciplinary shows coloured by cultural references to the country, as well as its publications, the Foundation plays a significant educational role.

The first project, soon to be completed in Nicaragua, will have helped 1,400 families averaging seven people each. A total of more than 20,000 people will have been supported.

Because the Foundation is based in Montréal, Ms. Pereša concluded by remarking how much she would like to be able to cite our country as an example. Montréal as a model of water management could be possible if everyone does their share, whether by turning off faucets, drinking tap water or collecting rainwater.

Ms. Pereša has been Executive Director of the ONE DROP Foundation since April 2009. She graduated in electrical engineering from Polytechnique in 1987 and developed an impressive career while devoting herself to humanitarian aid. She has worked for Oxfam Québec, CARE Austria, Amnesty International France, the Montréal Women's Y (YWCA) and Les petits frères des Pauvres du Québec. At a commemorative ceremony on December 6, 2009, she was awarded an honoris causa degree upon the recommendation of Polytechnique Montréal.

To read about  Prof. Carreau's expertise: www.polymtl.ca/recherche/rc/en/professeurs/details.php?NoProf=28&Langue=A   

You can visit the ONE DROP Foundation's website and make a donation at: www.onedrop.org