To the orange exhibition figures New York City is like a second home.

Perhaps you saw the media reports of the figures squatting in Central Park on World Water Day 2008? The International Year of Sanitation and “Water Day” has provided a real opportunity to place a spotlight on the worldwide need for toilets, human excreta treatment and better hygiene. UN-Water, the key supporter of the campaign, challenged New Yorkers to come and “stand up for those that cannot sit down”. A long line of people formed, calling attention to the fact that 2 out of 5 people on our planet live without access to a toilet.

Apart from this “Christ like” orange appearance in the Big Apple’s main park, the figures have also visited UN Headquarters several times. They had the honour of squatting next to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and HRH Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, both at the planning meeting and the official launch of the International Year of Sanitation. Senior officials from countless countries were also met by the figures’ "call of urgency" at high panel meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development 2008.

The figures love New York … and there are still loads of New Yorkers who are yet to make their acquaintance – perhaps they should make a return visit soon.