Istanbul is set to host the meeting of the World Toilet Organization, or WTO, a global nonprofit organization committed to improving toilets and sanitation conditions worldwide. ( TDN )
The World Toilet Summit will take place in October 2009 within the framework of Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010, said Seref Durmus, the head of the Turkish Toilets Organization.
The summit meeting, which will contribute to the improvement of toilet culture and toilets in Turkey, was held in different countries all over the world. Countries like Macau, India, Russia, Ireland and China have all hosted the summit in previous years, according to Durmus.
The summit provides a platform for stakeholders to connect, share their experiences, learn about latest developments and collaborate in order to meet the target of creating modern toilets. Topics like Portable Toilets' Importance in Earthquakes and Natural Disasters, Toilets in Urban and Rural Areas, Problems in Public Toilets and Solutions, Toilet Technologies and Their Application, Water Saving in Toilets, The Sanitation of Toilets and Toilet Training and Culture for Children are going to be discussed at the summit. Durmus stated that they are waiting for public institutions, municipalities, NGOs and sponsor companies to contribute and support the summit.
Toilets are not just physical structures, there is a toilet culture that is different in all countries, said Durmus, drawing reference to about 20 to 30 years ago when there was a squat toilet and a bucket full of water instead of flushing cistern in all Turkish houses. However, now our toilet culture includes sit down toilets with a flush, vanity mirrors, liquid soap and towels, said Durmus.
Stressing that toilets also have standards, he said vanity mirrors, liquid soaps and towels must exist in all public toilets now. Since public toilets are important for the image of a country, they need to be hygienic, healthy and clean, he added.
The Turkish Toilets Organization is a nongovernmental organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions in the province of Istanbul and the rest Turkey.