"Groundwater: making the invisible visible" is the theme of the 2022 World Water Day, established by the UN in 1993 to draw attention to the global water crisis, raising awareness of the population in view of achieving the sustainable development goal (SDG) 6, an indispensable goal to smooth out socio-economic inequalities and guarantee the dignity of all human beings.

The MEDISS, MENAWARA and MEDWAYCAP projects organize an event on 19 March in Santu Lussurgiu (Sardinia, Italy) that will see primary and secondary school pupils as protagonists in a “journey” through the resource of water. The event is organized in collaboration with the Municipality and the Comprehensive School of Santu Lussurgiu, CRENOS (North-South Economic Research Center) of the University of Cagliari, the NRD (Desertification Research Center) of the University of Sassari, 'ENAS (Sardinia Water Authority).

Throughout the world, groundwater represents a huge and very important resource. Right in the subsoil of central-western Sardinia there is the largest reserve of fresh water on the island: a treasure out of sight - held back by the geological formations of rock, sand and gravel - which is important to "make visible" to ensure its sustainable management and prevent the introduction of harmful substances into the subsoil.

This initiative is organized as part of international projects financed by the European program ENI CBC Med, which see Sardinia cooperating with some countries of the southern shore of the Mediterranean in the research and experimentation of innovative methodologies for the use of treated, desalinated wastewater in agriculture and drainage to reduce fresh water use and supply costs, as well as guarantee the resource in countries at risk of water scarcity.

It is in some of these areas (Tanzania, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Algeria) that the activity of prof. Giorgio Ghiglieri, protagonist of the research and international cooperation projects of the two Sardinian Universities for the improvement and protection of water resources. To prof. Ghiglieri, who passed away last year, is dedicated to the event.