Learning, Connecting, and Moving Forward: Reflections from the UNC Water and Health Conference
Takeaways and reflections from two days of learning and collaboration.
The last few days at the 2026 UNC Water and Health Conference left us with a lot to reflect on, plenty to learn from, and even more motivation to keep moving forward.
From plenary sessions and side events to conversations with partners and fellow organizations, the conference offered a wealth of knowledge on everything from WASH data and innovation to financing, implementation, and long-term sustainability. It was especially meaningful to hear our partners at Virridy share their work and to learn from other locally led organizations working to address similar challenges.
One of the biggest takeaways was the essential connection between water and health. Access to safe, reliable water is about so much more than water itself. It helps prevent disease, enables healthcare facilities to deliver safe and effective care, and supports healthier communities. For Asili, this is at the heart of our work.
It was also encouraging to see how much we can learn from one another. Hearing about the approaches, challenges, and lessons of other organizations reinforced that while we are proud of the model we have built, there is always room to learn, adapt, and improve. That ongoing commitment to learning is essential to strengthening our work and delivering lasting impact for the communities we serve.
We were also grateful for the opportunity to connect in person with our partners at the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) and spend time with a community of organizations that share our commitment to expanding access to safe water. These gatherings are a great reminder that meaningful progress takes collaboration, shared learning, and a willingness to work together toward common goals.
We left the conference encouraged by what we learned, the connections we strengthened, and the possibilities ahead. We look forward to putting these insights into practice as we continue working toward healthier communities and lasting access to safe water and healthcare in eastern DRC.
