The World Toilet Association (Yes, it is a real Organization), kicked off its inaugural conference Thursday, hoping to spark a sanitation revolution that will save lives through better hygiene and break taboos about what happens behind closed bathroom doors.

To the celebratory rhythms of a percussionist beating on toilets, dozens of government delegates and U.N. representatives began two days of discussions on improving bathroom facilities for the 2.6 billion people worldwide who lack access to proper restrooms.

The South Korean government has given strong backing to the World Toilet Association, which has been spearheaded by the country’s “Mr. Toilet” — parliament member Sim Jae-duck. He earned his nickname for improving public restrooms for the 2002 World Cup as mayor of Suwon city.

The group is not associated with the World Toilet Organization, another body that was founded in 2001 by Singapore’s Jack Sim, has 44 member countries and similarly seeks to improve toilet sanitation in the third world.

South Korea’s Sim, who has built a toilet-shaped house in his hometown, was unanimously elected Thursday as the new association’s first president.

- Read More on CNN News.

Posted: 11|27|07 at 3:52 pm. Filed under: News, Weird.
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