The way society deals with its sewage is indicative of its commitment to sustainability, a South African academic has told a gathering of theologians in Brazil in advance of the World Social Forum.

Every year 19th November is World Toilet Day. World Toilet Day falls on the day in 1792 when the Toilet that flushes itself at regular intervals was patented. But campaigners say it also a day to celebrate the humble, yet vitally important, toilet and to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis. You can give a toilet through Christian Aid here