Bonn Water Network: connecting competences for sustainable water futures
November 17, 2020 | 17:30 h - 19:00 h
The Bonn Water Network consists of seven Bonn-based but internationally operating and renowned institutions with longstanding experiences in water issues: the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); Bonn University with its Institute of Geography (GIUB) holding the UNESCO Chair in Human Water Systems, and the Center for Development Research (ZEF); the German Development Institute/ Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE); the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and two UN institutions, the United Nations Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The network members conduct research on water problems worldwide with partners in science and practice, and contribute to finding sustainable and socially appropriate solutions. We investigate how cross-border cooperation in Africa can help to make better use of water for energy production and agriculture, we cooperate with authorities in Central Asia on drought mitigation, and our models show how and where climate change is affecting water resources in Nepal and India. We also contribute to developing solutions for resolving conflicts over water along the Nile or in Mongolia, for sustainable water management in Morocco, and climate-sensitive adaptation strategies to reduce flood risks in Togo and Benin.
Please register for the event per email to: claudia.klama@die-gdi.de!
Schedule of the launch event: (5:30 PM 17:30 CET- 7:00 PM 19:00 CET)
- Introducing the new Bonn Water Network, Dr. Annabelle Houdret, DIE, spokesperson of the network
- Welcoming remarks by Mr. Stefan Wagner, head of the Department of International Affairs and Global Sustainability at the city of Bonn
- Short videos by the Bonn Water Network member institutions’ directors
- Bonn Water Network and the Bonn Alliance for Sustainability Research, remarks by Prof. Jacob Rhyner, Scientific Director of the Bonn Alliance for Sustainability Research and Professor of Global Change and Systemic Risks at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn
- Panel discussion and public debate: 'The Bonn Water Network: connecting competences for a sustainable water future'. Members of the network showcase their contributions to finding solutions for water problems: On transboundary water management in Togo and Benin, on sustainable water and land management in Subsaharan and Northern Africa, on the implementation of SDG6 in the light of competition for groundwater in Jordan and on climate resilience in Asia.
- Closing remarks by Dr Luna Bharati.
- Moderator: Dr. Luna Bharati, IWMI and ZEF, co-spokesperson of the network.
Please register for the event per email to: claudia.klama@die-gdi.de
Contact for questions regarding content: Speaker of the network: Annabelle Houdret (DIE): Annabelle.houdret@die-gdi.de. Co-spokesperson: Luna Bharati (IWMI/ ZEF): L.bharati(at)CGIAR.ORG
Background:
Over 800 million people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water supplies. In many countries, increasing water scarcity threatens food security and energy production or leads to conflict. Over the past 15 years, Bonn-based scientific organizations have been working together, e.g. in organizing a Water Lectures‘ series, to share their insights into solutions towards a more water-secure world.
Today, we are going one step further and are launching the 'Bonn Water Network' for connecting competences for sustainable water futures. The new initiative will allow for strengthening the visibility of the network’s expertise and international partners, share solutions for water problems and implement new projects in Bonn as a the capital of international sustainable development, and with partner institutions worldwide.
