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EMWIS Flash N°53, November 2007
| Released | 27/11/2007 |
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EMWIS Flash -
November 2007 |
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In this issue N°53 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash53)
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HEADLINE
1- 4th Euromed & South-East European Water Directors conference, Bled
(Slovenia) 10-11 December 2007
IN BRIEF
2- EMWIS National information seminar in Tunisia
3- Conclusions of the last Euro-Mediterranean Meeting of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs
4- France proposed the creation of a water agency for the Mediterranean
Union
5- Regional Workshop on "Environmental knowledge and information exchange
in the Mediterranean"
6- Experts visit: Algerian, Tunisian looked at the French Water Information
System
7- Jordan: Water contamination incidents highlight water shortage
problem
8- Lebanon: Putting the environment at the heart of policy making
9- EBRD support for Montenegrin regional water supply system: €15
million
10- EU Water Policy and Dialogue with China launched
11- REBECCA project analyses ecological responses to chemical
pressures
12- Browning of waters is related to reduced acid deposition rather than
climate warming
13- Water scarcity and LIFE: developing good practice in reducing water
usage
14- LIFE project ‘Optimizagua’: Saving water with more efficient irrigation
systems
15- International Desalination Database: MEDRC works with MWH
Americas
16- A roadmap for calibration and validation of satellite data
NOMINATIONS
& VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS
CALL FOR
TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR
PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE
MAP
CONTACT US /
COMMENTS
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HEADLINE
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1- The next Euromed and South-East European water Directors conference
will be held next 10-11 December 2007 in Bled (Slovenia). Following
the Conference held on November 2006 in Athens, the main objective of the
2007 Conference, will be the preparation of the Euromed water ministers'
conference in 2008, including: - Progress review of key regional water
initiatives and recommendations for further action; - updated mandate
for the Euro-Mediterranean and SEE Directors Forum taking into account
recent developments; - Identification of the topics and main products
(declaration, plan of action, etc) of the Ministerial Conference; - Action
plan for the preparation of the Ministerial Meeting. Further information on
EMWIS
website.
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IN
BRIEF (Full
news)
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2- On 22nd November 2007, the national EMWIS seminar attracted some 140 participants to discuss the development of the National Water Information System in Tunisia following the recent feasibility studies carried out on such system at the national level and on the Mediterranean Water Observatory Mechanism. Water accounts initiated by the Medstat project were presented by the National Statistic Institute. Their needs will be taken into account into the NWIS development. The stakeholders agreed to work on common data standards, exchange rules to be implemented in the future system. Further information on EMWIS website
3- Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership met on 5 and 6 November 2007 in Lisbon. Ministers welcomed that the Horizon 2020 initiative relating to the de-pollution of the Mediterranean will continue to implement the measures agreed under the timetable of actions approved at the third Euro-Mediterranean meeting of Environment Ministers held in Cairo and put forward by the first meeting of the Steering Committee in June 2007. The European Environment Agency will cooperate with its counterparts to design a coherent indicator process and a framework for regular indicator-based analyses, including a “scorecard” to compare and measure progress. Ministers welcomed also the upcoming 4th Conference of Water Directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and South Eastern European Countries on 10-11 December 2007. Furthermore, Ministers took note of the possible organization of a special ad hoc Euro-Mediterranean ministerial Conference on water to take place in the second semester of 2008. The terms of reference for the Conference shall be agreed upon by all partners in due time. Further information on EMWIS website.
4- France has detailed its Mediterranean Union project to all the member countries of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, at a conference in Lisbon. A meeting of foreign ministers of the 37 countries participating in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was held on Tuesday, November 6 in Lisbon. The French project of the Mediterranean Union was launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy since his presidential campaign. French President then presented it in broad outline, on the occasion of a visit to Morocco, Oct 23. In Lisbon, Alain Le Roy, ambassador in charge of implementing the project, detailed for the first time the contents of this French initiative to all the countries concerned. The Mediterranean Union would be a forum for annual or bi-annual exchange between countries bordering the Mediterranean, but not a new institution, said Alain Leroy. It would be a "union project" based on specific programs, such as a water agency responsible for combating pollution of the Mediterranean, or a development agency for small and medium enterprises. Each initiative is only supported by those countries that wish it. Further information on EMWIS website.
5- The SMAP Regional Management and Support Unit, organises the Regional Workshop on "Environmental knowledge and information exchange in the Mediterranean" to be held in Rome, on 5-6 December 2007. The workshop will assemble some 50 participants from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, including all the SMAP Clearing House Focal Points, regional organisations and projects, institutes dealing with environmental information and the EC. This workshop will continue the dialog initiated last year. Further information on EMWIS website.
6- Following the feasibility studies on developing National Water Information Systems -NWIS- in the Mediterranean partner countries and the regional EMWIS seminar organized in June 2006 in Algiers, the Algerian Ministry of Water Resources (MRE) and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (Directorate General of Water Resources-DGRE-) decided to continue exchanges with France. In this context a study tour was organized from 5 to 9 November 2007 with the competent French institutions. The goal was to review the French experience (common language, standardization of data, partnership agreements, common repository, monitoring committee, European framework, technologies) and to give an opinion on the first steps implemented in Algeria and Tunisia. Further information on EMWIS website.
7- Thousands of Jordanians have been rushed to hospitals over the past few months suffering from illnesses related to water contamination in villages and towns across the kingdom. Experts fear the worst is yet to come unless a lasting solution is found to the kingdom's water shortages. The government is implementing a strict water rationing programme, pumping water to households only once or twice a week. Water experts say a combination of the degenerated water supply network and irregular water pumping are the main reasons for water-borne illnesses. The government has an ambitious project to pump water from Disi Aquifer in the south to Amman. This project will see water pumped 300km from beneath the mountains of Wadi Rum to the capital. But this project is still in its early stages. Another project involves linking the Dead Sea with the Red Sea by a 250-km long canal, and constructing a desalination station. Officials from the Ministry of Water say such a project is the only viable solution to end this conundrum. A feasibility study is being conducted by an international consortium funded by the World Bank to determine the US$5 billion project's feasibility and its impact on the environment. Further information on EMWIS website.
8- A LIFE-TCY project on 'Strategic environmental assessment and land use planning in Lebanon' promoted the integration of crucial environmental considerations into policies, programmes and plans at the national level in Lebanon. Further information on EMWIS website.
9- The EBRD is lending €15 million to the Montenegrin regional water supply company to support the rehabilitation and construction of a regional water supply system that will provide potable water from Lake Skadar to the municipalities along the Montenegrin coast. The project, which has been developed in close co-operation with the World Bank, will provide a long-term sustainable solution to water supply requirements of the coastal cities and underpin Montenegro’s expanding tourism potential. The Bank will finance the rehabilitation and construction of the northern branch of the system which will supply Budva, Tivat, Kotor and Herceg Novi, and the World Bank will finance water extraction from Skadar Lake, water treatment, the main continental part of the network and the southern branch supplying Bar and Ulcinj. Further information on EMWIS website.
10- On October 17th, during the 3rd IYRF, EU Water Policy and Dialogue with China was launched. Related officials and experts from EU and China exchanged the successful experience of water resources management in Europe and status quo of that in China from decision-making and technique aspects. Dr Stefan Agne, First Secretary, European Union, EC Delegation in China, introduced the Framework Directive of European laws related to water. Meanwhile, Integrated Planning of the Water Resources Protection in China, Role of Rhine and Danube River Basin Commissions, State Planning on the Water Pollution Control in China, Impacts of Climate Change on River Systems in the North Countries, Trans-boundary Water Management, Improve Early Warning Procedures for Serious Water Pollution Incidents, etc., were introduced and discussed during the Dialogue. Further information on EMWIS website.
11- A recent report from the EU FP6 Research Project REBECCA describes statistical methods used for analysis of biological indicators in lakes. Biological indicators are required for assessing ecological status, according to the Water Framework Directive. However, biological data often "misbehave" and pose several methodological challenges: non-linear responses to pressures, complex community responses, and high uncertainty. Further information on EMWIS website.
12- The scientific magazine Nature published an article this week about unexpected effects of acid precipitation and water quality, based on research carried out at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) in collaboration with other scientific institutes in several countries. New research results show that increased humus content in water is associated with reduced acid precipitation, and not due to climate change as earlier presumed. Further information on EMWIS website.
13- The October edition of LIFEnews is focused on the theme of LIFE and water scarcity. Water scarcity and droughts concern all EU countries, especially those in the southern Mediterranean region. Climate change is expected to multiply and intensify these occurrences in the future. In the face of these challenges, a number of LIFE projects have worked directly or indirectly to improve the efficiency of water use. A number of LIFE projects have demonstrated good practice in rationalising water use to relieve pressure on water resources. Each of these LIFE projects demonstrates an effective method for improving the efficiency of water usage. Each of them thus makes a contribution to efforts to respond to the challenge posed by water scarcity and droughts. They show both policy-makers and practitioners what it is possible to do and the results that can be achieved. Further information on EMWIS website.
14- This recently closed LIFE project ‘Optimizagua’ (LIFE03 ENV/E/000164) combined traditional methodologies and modern technologies to reduce water consumption through irrigation by up to 60%. The project used innovative technologies including programmable automatic machines, data communication and transmission devices using GPRS and sensors for detecting the moisture in the soil. These were combined with a set of traditional systems for the collection and storage of rainwater. The system is able to calculate the precise water requirements for a particular piece of land taking into account the specific composition and drainage conditions of the soil, the needs of the particular crops, the existing levels of water reserves, the time of year and even the weather. It then regulates the irrigation system according to the identified needs. Further information on EMWIS website.
15- AWWW (American Water Works Association) Research Foundation (AwwaRF) in cooperation with the California Energy Commission has selected MWH Americas (www.mwhglobal.com) to identify and document international desalination related research and development (R&D) efforts and compile them in an user-friendly, readily searchable database. MWH will utilize a web-based database system, that will allow for updating the information as needed and allow users to access information without the need to download or obtain new software. MEDRC (Middle East Desalination Research Center) will assist significantly in capturing leading desalination efforts being performed in the Middle East, which is a major region for usage of desalination technology. MWH began the project in January 2007 and the database is scheduled for completion in late 2008. Any individual, organisation or private company that would like to have their research included in the database may go to the website. Further information on EMWIS website.
16- The volume of data acquired by more than 50 Earth Observation satellites is increasing at an exponential rate and is providing unprecedented synoptic views of our planet. Because these satellites often use different methodologies, using data for trend analysis and environmental monitoring can be difficult, making it essential to establish globally recognised guidelines for Calibration and Validation processes. More than 50 experts from space agencies and organisations around the world met earlier this month at the GEO/CEOS Workshop on Calibration and Validation Processes in Geneva, Switzerland, to identify and scope key elements needed to develop and implement a data quality strategy. Further information on EMWIS website.
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NOMINATIONS &
VACANCIES
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17- During the General Assembly of the Mediterranean Network of Basin Organizations (MENBO), which took place in Rome last November 9th, 2007, Mr. Walter Mazzitti, EMWIS General Secretary, was elected president of MENBO for the next two years. Further information on EMWIS website.
18- Since November 5, 2007, the French Partnership on Water has an Executive Secretary: Nathalie CHARTIER-TOUZÉ. Further information on EMWIS website.
19- Administrative Officer, World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP): The World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) is seeking an Administrative Officer. Under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the WWAP Secretariat, the Administrative Officer will assist the Coordinator in carrying out administrative, financial and budgetary actions necessary to ensure the efficient administration of the WWAP Secretariat. Closing date: 3 December 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
20- Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water introduces 3rd round: A special new Creativity Prize, worth 1 million Saudi Riyals (SR) (approximately USD$266,000), has been added to the awards available to researchers in the Water Resources sector under the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water 2006-2008. The Creativity Prize, will be awarded to original work which is considered a breakthrough in any water-related field. The work must be practically applicable, economically feasible and environmentally friendly. Closing date for entries for any of the five prizes on offer is 31 December 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
21- Recruitment for ELP 2008: Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program (ELP), University of California, Berkeley is seeking applicants for the 2008 summer certificate course in Sustainable Environmental Management at the University of California, Berkeley. Applications must be received no later than February 1, 2008. The Beahrs ELP (ELP) links the complex local and global environmental challenges of practitioners and decision-makers around the world with interdisciplinary perspectives in environmental and natural resource science, policy and leadership at U.C. Berkeley. Each summer 40 mid-career environment and sustainable development professionals participate from international organizations, academia, government, NGOs and the private sector. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Unfortunately, there are no full scholarships. Further information on EMWIS website.
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PUBLICATIONS
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22- This Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks (EU Floods Directive) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (ref L 288/27 dated on 06/11/2007). The purpose of this Directive is to establish a framework for the assessment and management of flood risks, aiming at the reduction of the adverse consequences for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity associated with floods in the Community. Further information on EMWIS website.
23- New Environmental research web site in CORDIS: A new service has been implemented in the CORDIS server dedicated to promote and highlight EU funded research related to the FP7 Cooperation theme "Environment (including climate change)". Further information on EMWIS website.
24- Our waters: joining hands across borders - First Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters in the UNECE region has been launched within the sixth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” (Belgrade, 10–12 October 2007) and is now available on-line. The publication offers in-depth information on all major surface water bodies in the European and Asian parts of the UNECE region and transboundary aquifers located in South-Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. It describes the hydrological regime of these water bodies, pressure factors in their basins, their status and transboundary impact, as well as trends, future developments and envisaged management measures. Such data is usually not readily available as it is dispersed over many institutions and an integrated approach to surface water and groundwater management is still in its infancy. Further information on EMWIS website.
25- "Participative Planning for Water Reuse Projects" - P. Jeffrey and S. Russell: The aim of this handbook is to encourage wider and more informed participation in the planning and management of water recycling projects. The handbook is designed for use by individuals, organisations and communities that wish to plan and manage water recycling projects collaboratively. However, we hope that those involved in other types of projects will also find it useful. These guidelines were produced under the auspices of the AQUAREC project on Integrated Concepts for Reuse of Upgraded Wastewater and are published in English, French and Spanish. Further information on EMWIS website.
26- ENMaR project report is published: “Water: local planning and management”. The key aim of the Handbook “Water: local planning and management” is to share good practice concerning water management. Further on, the Handbook contains 60 case studies, selected from good examples of projects on-the-ground in the ENMaR regions. Soon the report will be available in German, Latvian, Spanish and Swedish language. If you wish to get a paper version of the handbook contact ENMaR project. The handbook is for free, but mailing expanses will be charged. Further information on EMWIS website.
27- ENMaR
Newsletter 3/2007: The ENMaR (European Network of Municipalities and Rivers)
project partly financed by the EU under the INTERREG IIIC programme,
published its 11th newsletter issue. Further information on EMWIS website.
28- Environmental Policy in South East Europe - 6th Ministerial Conference
"Enrivonment for Europe", Belgrade, Serbia (10-12 October 2007): This
report, issued by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), reviews progress in
the development and implementation of environmental and sustainability
policies in South East Europe, revealing that national environmental action
plans and strategies have been developed and adopted, while implementation
is still in its early stages. The report offers recommendations including:
to continue the development of environmental institutions at the national
level; to customize the education for sustainable development for each
country; and to use the EU accession process to achieve sustainable
development objectives including Millennium Development Goals. Further
information on EMWIS
website.
29- CARE Egypt Water & Stability Project Newsletter - Oct. 07: This is a periodical newsletter issued by “Water & Stability” project. “Water & Stability” is funded by Royal Netherlands Embassy in Cairo. Further information on EMWIS website.
30- Final Summary of the Conference “WFD meets CAP – Looking for a consistent approach” (20-21 September 2007, Paris): The Conference “WFD meets CAP – Looking for a consistent approach” (20-21 September 2007, Paris) was designed to provide a forum to discuss the different national approaches to tackle agricultural pressures as well as different types of measures (economic, supportive and technical). The event also started to trigger the exchange of different experiences gained and to share lessons learned from the different approaches. The conference aimed to address these issues in more depth for the first time. In addition, in view of recent developments of the issue of water scarcity and droughts, there was a specific focus on the way to address these water quantity issues. Finally, the conference aimed to further explore the links between the implementation of the WFD, and the CAP. Further information on EMWIS website.
31- Waste management: the road from land filling to recycling: Waste management strategies must be customised to individual national conditions if they are to prove effective, according to a new European Environment Agency -EEA brochure. This brochure presents the EEA's new country factsheets on waste policies and trends across the EU-25, and summarises some patterns in approaches to waste management that are highlighted by the factsheets. Further information on EMWIS website.
32- "The Rise and Fall of the Ebro Water Transfer". This article published in Natural Resources Journal, analyses the Ebro inter-basin transfer, which was the main project of the Spanish National Hydrological Plan. The Ebro transfer was prompted by pervasive pressures, scarcity and degradation of South-eastern basins in Spain. The heated policy debate on the Ebro transfer highlights the difficulties of achieving a sustainable management of water resources because of the conflicting interests of stakeholders and regions. Alternatives to the Ebro transfer show that acceptable outcomes combine demand and supply measures. Nevertheless, implementation could be difficult, requiring compensation to farmers; otherwise, an excessive burden on farmers would be met by social opposition, leading to the failure of the measures. Further information on EMWIS website.
33- The Proceedings of the First International Conference on The Geo-Resources of the Middle East & North Africa. is now available. The book will be of interest to Petroleum Geologists, Engineers, Geophysicists, Hydrogeologists, Hydrologists, Economic Geologists, Environmental and Remote Sensing Researchers. The book is divided into Three main Topics : Oil & Gas Resources, Water Resources & Environment & Mining & Mineral Resources. Further information on EMWIS website.
34- The Guide to Water 2007-2008 (Only in French): The 37th edition of "the Guide to Water" has just been published. Chapter 1 focused on the institutional framework has been completely redesigned and includes all provisions of the new Water Act of December 2006 (France) and all decrees issued pursuant to this day. Chapter 3 contains "data" that has been fully rewritten to incorporate the 9th programs of water agencies adopted late 2006 for the period 2007-2012. Chapter 4 devoted to the supply of goods and services that has been considerably expanded with another, the entry of 300 new companies, and the creation of more than 200 items of new activities. This book includes an unlimited access password to the site www.guide-eau.com, being updated daily. Further information on EMWIS website.
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CALL FOR TENDERS
and PROPOSALS
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35- LIFE+ draft application guidelines just published by the European
Commission, to help project applicants begin work on their project
proposals, ahead of the submission deadline of the first LIFE+ call for
proposals (November 30, 2007). Further information on EMWIS
website
36- The second call of the Environment priority under FP7: The EC has announced that the second call of the Environment priority under FP7 will be published on 20 November 2007 with the February 19, 2008 as deadline for submissions. An indicative budget of about €216 million is allocated to the 2008 work programme, where more than 50 topics for research have been identified. A DRAFT of the second call is available on the website - note that the final version may vary from this, but the draft does give an indication of likely topics. Remember, there are also opportunities for water-related projects in other priorities, but note that deadlines vary across different work programmes. Further information on EMWIS website.
37- The call FP7-INCO-2007-3 for Activities of International Cooperation-ERA-NET and ERA-NET PLUS has been published. The objective is to increase the cooperation and coordination of research programmes carried out at national or regional level in the Member States and Associated States and which target one third country or several third countries in a given region. The activities will contribute to the success of the European Research Area by improving the coherence and coordination across Europe of international S&T cooperation programmes. ERA-NET actions allow Member States and Associated states to avoid overlap between their programmes and to develop expertise from mutual learning. In general, ERA-NET actions should not cover very limited research areas. They should not overlap with other ongoing ERA-NET actions or create further fragmentation. Complementarities to, or coordination with FP7 activities should be ensured where possible. ERA-NET actions will result in concrete co-operation between research programmes, such as their networking, their mutual opening and the development and implementation of joint programmes and activities. Budget: € 11 M. Deadline: February 12, 2008 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time). Further information on EMWIS website.
38- First call for
proposals open for INTERREG IVC programme: The first INTERREG IVC call for
proposals was launched on 21st September 2007 and will close on 15th
January 2008. The INTERREG IVC Programme is part
of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective of the
Structural Fund policies for the period
2007-2013. It aims, by means of
interregional cooperation, to improve the
effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic
modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe, by: 1) Enabling local
and regional actors across the EU to exchange their experiences and
knowledge; 2) Matching regions less experienced in a certain policy field
with more advanced regions; and 3) Ensuring the transfer of good practices
into Structural Funds mainstream programmes. The INTERREG IVC Programme is
divided into two thematic priorities related to the EU strategy for growth
and sustainable development known as the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies:
Innovation and the Knowledge Economy: (ERDF €177 million, 55%) under which
there is a part for water management, and Environment and Risk Prevention:
(ERDF €125 million, 39%). Further information on EMWIS website.
39- Call for proposals for the EU Partnership for Peace: The European
Commission has published an Open Call for Proposals (Reference:
EuropeAid/126231/L/ACT/PS) under the EU Partnership for Peace programme
which aims at strengthening civil society actions in peace building and
conflict transformation in the Middle East. It focuses on initiatives which
are likely to have an impact on people’s everyday lives through practical
actions: rebuilding mutual trust through reconciliation, building capacity
for conflict resistance, empowering marginalized parties and launching joint
development policies and strategies. Deadline for receipt of applications:
Thursday, 7th February, 2008 at 16:00. Further information on EMWIS
website.
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CALL FOR PAPERS
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40- Call for contributions for the 5th International Conference Conference
on Solid waste, Sewage and Air emissions management. This conference will be
held in Kharkiv (Ukraine) in 03-04 April 2008. Its objective is to
support and promote the transfer and exchange of best practices and
experience, and the development of environmentally sound waste management
business; to present new developments, equipment and services; to establish
and strengthen contacts between the interested parties; to attract attention
of investors, industry managers, business community, public groups,
government officials and mass media to the issue of waste management.
Deadline for abstracts is December 1, 2007. Further information on EMWIS
website.
41- Call for papers for the water seminar: "The commercialisation of water delivery in Europe: examining developments and exploring opportunities for reclaiming public water". The Reclaiming Public Water Network and the Public Interest Research Network are hosting a seminar in Brussels the 7-8 January 2008 to discuss the developments in water delivery in Europe. The seminar aims to bring together campaigners and researchers to share experiences, research and practices; to discuss the nature of public water delivery; and to develop collaborative campaigning and research networks associated with movements to defend and reclaim public water in Europe. The deadline for submission of abstracts is Friday 30 November 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
42- Call for contributions to a University review: "Horizons maghrébins-the right to memory -2008 Alimentation & population in the Maghreb & the Middle East". The thematic scope is: Self-sufficiency or food dependence, agro-alimentary Policies, Food Quality, Revival of country agriculture and experiments of agro-ecology, urban Agriculture, Water Management & Farm prices. Deadline for contributions: March 31, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
43- Call for papers for the 4th ECRR Conference on River Restoration: This conference will be held in Venice (Italy) in 16-21 June 2008. Its objectives are to share knowledge and concepts, approaches, methods and strategies on River Restoration; disseminate experiences from especially European (but also extra-European) case studies and share the most promising applied research solutions to be adopted in integrated River Restoration projects/interventions. 15 January 2008: closing of abstracts submissions. Further information on EMWIS website.
44- Call for abstracts for the DHI 2nd European Software Conference – “Water Across Europe”: The 2nd European DHI Software Conference is arranged by DHI, Proning DHI and Proneko, DHI’s technical support service and Software Agent in Croatia. It will be held in Split (Croatia) in 9-11 June 2008. Deadline for abstracts: December 21, 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
45- Call for abstracts for the international symposium: "The Role of Hydrology in Water Resources Management": The sympsium will be held in the Isle of Capri, Naples (Italy) in 14-16 October 2008. Its purpose is to discuss ways in which hydrologists can contribute most effectively to the planning and management of freshwater projects, including the efficient operation of existing systems faced with new socio-political situations. It will also address how water resource managers can capitalise on the hydrological expertise available to them. Deadline for abstract submission: December 31, 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
46- Invitation and Call for Papers from the Institute of Environmental and Water Studies, Birzeit University, West Bank: First Symposium on Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse for Water Demand Management in Palestine: The Institute of Environmental and Water Studies (IEWS) at Birzeit University in cooperation with the Palestinian Water Authority ( PWA), the International Development Research Center (IDRC), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ ), and UNESCO-IHE Partnership for Water Education and Research (PoWER) is organizing the first symposium on "Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse for Water Demand Management in Palestine" along with the World Water Day 2008. The celebrations will be held on April 2-3, 2008 at Birzeit University (West Bank/Palestine). This Symposium aims at presenting the results of IEWS research projects and exposing Palestinian policy-makers and other stakeholders to the different aspects of wastewater treatment and reuse for agricultural irrigation. Water researchers, experts, and policy-makers are invited to submit abstracts of their papers or posters for presentation during the Symposium. Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
47- Call for papers: The European Geosciences Union General Assembly General Assembly: "Water science: source of conflict or cooperation?": During the European Geosciences Union General Assembly General Assembly (Vienna, Austria, 13 – 18 April 2008). A session entitled "Water science: source of conflict or cooperation?" will try to answer these questions, and you are invited to submit an abstract for the presentation of a case study or a paper. The deadline for the submission of Abstracts is 15 January 2008. The session is convened by P. van der Zaag (Water Resources Management UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education), with the following co-conveners: C. McCulloch (Oxford University Centre for the Environment), P. O'Connell (School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, University of Newcastle), G. Crescimanno (ITAF, Università di Palermo), and I (UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme). Further information on EMWIS website.
48- Call for abstracts for the 4th International Workshop on "Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for screening and trace level quantitation in environmental and food samples": This international workshop will be held in Barcelona (Spain) in February 7-8, 2008. Its main objective is to evaluate practical aspects of the usefulness of tandem mass spectrometry for screening and trace level quantitation in environmental and food samples. Deadline for abstracts submission is: December 15th, 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
49- Call for Papers: Journal of Flood Risk Management - Launching 2008: CIWEM’s new journal with Wiley-Blackwell, entitled ‘Journal of Flood Risk Management’ is open for paper submissions. This online-only global journal will provide an international platform for knowledge and information sharing in all areas relating to flood risk management. Its explicit aim is to disseminate ideas across the range of disciplines where flood related research is carried out and provide content ranging from leading edge academic papers to applied content with the practitioner in mind. In addition to this, reviewers with suitable expertise in the subject area of flood risk management are currently being recruited. Reviewers peer-review technical papers to determine their suitability for publication and advise on any necessary amendments or revisions ensuring that papers are credible and accurate. This is a great opportunity to be involved in the work of the institution and be the first to read exciting new research. Further information on EMWIS website.
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TRAINING
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50- International Course - MesoHabsim: The MesoHabsim technique is an
up-scaling alternative to conventional Microhabitat analysis used in fluvial
ecosystems. This method is more effective for instream flow issues at a
river segment scale, or larger. The course is intended to teach the basics
of data collection techniques within the MesoHabsim framework, data
processing with MesoHabsim software and the creation of GIS habitat models.
This course will take place in the Technical University of Madrid (Spain) in
10-12 December 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.
51- Master of Science Program in Environmental Technology and Management: An International Program for Jordan and the Arab Countries, Held at Princess Sumaya University for Technology and Royal Scientific Society: This aims to prepare future technical staff and decision-makers in both public and private sectors for analyzing and acting in an environmentally proactive manner in relation with policies, production processes and resources utilization. The program combines both theory and practice on the one hand and technical and managerial aspects on the other. Moreover, it covers the most urgent issues for development based on real life experiences. The program is open to participants form the Arab region, it will be held in four semesters (2 – year program) starting February 3, 2008 (Duration: 2 years). Further information on EMWIS website.
52- International Training Course Announcement: Good governance for sustainable and pro poor Wash services: IRC has announced its upcoming international training course: Good governance for sustainable and pro poor WASH services. This course provides a broad overview of local governance for sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. It examines the different components of WASH services and what it means to operationalise local governance across these components. The course is specialised to the needs of those facing implementation and capacity challenges in scaling up service provision to achieve full coverage. It applies the principles of good governance in the context of the interface between WASH services and water resources management, addressing the needs of the poor through multiple uses, and the challenges of sustainable services. This eight day course, including a field trip during one weekend day, will be held in Delft, The Netherlands between the 4th and 13th of February 2008. A Certificate of Completion in Good Governance for Sustainable Pro-Poor WASH Services will be awarded to those who successfully complete the course. Further information on EMWIS website.
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EVENTS
(Full
Agenda)
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[2007/12/17 -
2007/12/18] WWF-5 Working Group on Water, Health and Climate, Delft,
Netherlands
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/12 -
2007/12/12] "La réunion plénière de la Commission Internationale de l'Escaut
(CIE)", Brussels, Belgium.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/10 -
2007/12/12] Conference: "Can Water Resources Be Sustained in Drylands?
Challenges: Present and Future", Amman, Jordan.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/10 -
2007/12/11] The 4th Conference of the Water Directors of the
Euro-Mediterranean and Southeastern European Countries, Bled,
Slovenia.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/06 -
2007/12/07] "Les 5èmes journées Franco-brésiliennes d'hydrologie urbaine sur
le thème de « l’eau dans la ville»", Pontoise, France.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/06 -
2007/12/07] -5ème Forum Mondial du Développment Durable: "Un monde
imprévisible"-, Paris, France.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/06 -
2007/12/07] - Colloque: "Apprendre à vivre avec les inondations ! "-, La
Grande Motte, France
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/05 - 2007/12/06] Regional
Workshop on "Environmental knowledge and information exchange in the
Mediterranean", Rome, Italy.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/05 -
2007/12/05] Sector Seminar on Water & wastewater in EU external aid
programmes, Brussels, Belgium.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/04
- 2007/12/04] Seminar on
"Pathogen removal for sustainable water cycles", Delft, The
Netherlands.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/12/03
- 2007/12/07] Study Visit on
Water Resources Management in Malta, La Valletta, Malta
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/29 - 2007/11/30] Meeting of Director-General Responsible
for Water in the EU, Lisbon, Portugal.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/28 - 2007/11/29] Transport of solides and management of sediments in natural and urban environments, Lyon, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/28 - 2007/11/28] ALDE Workshop: "New environmentally
friendly technology for recovery of valuable components, water purification
and soil protection", Brussels, Belgium.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/27 -
2007/11/30] POLLUTEC HORIZONS 2007, Algiers, Algeria.
Further
information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/26 - 2007/11/27] 3rd European Forum on Eco-innovation, Paris, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2007/11/22 - 2007/11/26] MELIA 1st Workshop: “Water culture and water conflict in the Mediterranean Area”, Hammamet-Medenine, Tunisia
Further information on EMWIS website
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