EMWIS Flash N°95, November 2011

EMWIS Flash - November 2011 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Union for the Mediterranean. For further information: www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later) Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism / Geo-Catalogue / UfM-Water

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In this issue N°95 (www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash95)
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HEADLINE
1- World Water Forum preparation, Collection of solutions

IN BRIEF
2- The 1st Mediterranean Water Forum & EMWIS side event, Marrakech, 19-20/12/2011

3- Dr. Rafiq Husseini visit to EMWIS, OIEAU, Plan Bleu & NCA
4- The World Youth Parliament for Water is preparing for the 6th World Water Forum
5- The World Water Council selected Daegu Metropolitan City and the Republic of Korea to welcome the 7th World Water Forum in 2015
6- UfM entrusted with formulating a Euro-Mediterranean Urban Development Strategy
7- International Symposium on Water and Wetlands in the Mediterranean
8- Tunisia: Increase in water consumption rates
9- Tunisia: Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean to be discussed at Tunis workshop
10- Syria: Water Resources between the Present and the Future
11- Launch of the UN-Water Activity Information System+
12- New European project launched to address shortcomings in climate data

13- NASA locates underground water in Kuwait
14- Satellites help combat desertification and monitor degrading lands
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
PROJECTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1- In the framework of the Mediterranean cross-continental process of the next World Water Forum, to be held in Marseille next 12-17 March 2012, 8 specific regional targets have been identified; we are now collecting contributions in order to present during the Forum the existing and/or innovative solutions, and to get commitments on their achievement (solution = case studies illustrating real solutions that are sufficiently relevant to be selected for the Forum). These "solutions" will form the basis for presentations and discussions at the Forum sessions. They will be further discussed during the First Mediterranean Water Forum in Marrakech (Morocco) on 19-20 December 2011. The eight Mediterranean Target Objectives are organized around 4 priorities: 1. Improving water demand management; 2. Use of non-conventional resources ; 3. Improving water governance; and 4. Urban and Industrial Wastewater collection and treatment. The identification and collection of solutions remain opened till the Marrakech meeting. Further information on  EMWIS website.

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The First Mediterranean Water Forum will be jointly organized by the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) and the State Secretariat in charge of Water and Environment of Morocco, and will take place in Marrakech (Morocco) on 19-20 December 2011. This events has two main components: the preparation of the Mediterranean cross-continental process for the 6th World Water Forum, and the effective setting up of the Mediterranean Water Forum which, beyond its first edition, should be established in a permanent manner so as to carry the voice of the Mediterranean water community. A Steering Committee has been set-up to prepare this event and the Mediterranean process of the WWF6. At the 1st Mediterranean Water Forum, discussions will be organised around the 4 priorities defined for the WWF6 and for launching the Mediterranean Water Forum. Side events will also be organised around thematic projects and initiatives such as the decision support system STRATEAU for water and territorial management. The Mediterranean Water Forum aims to become a permanent platform for the Mediterranean water community, it is expected to establish some basic principles accepted by all stakeholders. On the other hand, and in the framework of this event, EMWIS is organizing a side-event on Tuesday 20 December at 15h30 to discuss progress on “strengthening the coordination and the development of National Water Information Systems harmonized at the Mediterranean level, towards a shared Mediterranean water information system”. This proposal is the result of the activities carried out by EMWIS with all Mediterranean countries since 2005. This side event will be a good opportunity to validate Mediterranean countries commitment to this approach and to discuss the practical arrangements for financing national and regional activities in view of a potential commitment at the 6th World Water Forum, next March. Further information on  EMWIS website.

3- Dr. Rafiq Husseini, head of Environment and Water at the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean has visited the permises of EMWIS/SEMIDE Technical Unit, the International Office of Water (OIEAU), Plan Bleu in Sophia Antipolis and the Urban Community of Nice Côte d'Azur (France) last 9-10 November. It was a good opportunity to discuss progress on emerging or proposed projects related to Mediterranean water & environment sector and the way the Secretariat can help and vice-versa. The visit was orgnised side by side to the Mediterranean Water Thing Tank held in Monaco on 10 November. Further information on  EMWIS website.

4- Nearly 50 young people from all continents, including 10 members of the World Youth Parliament for Water  -WYPW- are meeting this month in Douai, France, committing to water solutions in regards to 4 topics: access to safe water and sanitation worldwide, impacts of climate change and natural disasters, governance in water resources management at river basin level and, last but not least, a World Youth Parliament for Water Charter for the long term which will be unveiled in March 2012. All involved in associations or political life, 18 to 23 years old, all students in political sciences, law, environment, geography, natural sciences... are highly ecology-conscious and dedicated to the cause of water. Beyond the will of having the voice of the youth be heard, the WYPW is also advocating for fairness and geographical balance, ensuring all regions of the world and all populations are taken into account in the global discussions, including weaker voices of low resource population. On the road to the 6^th World Water Forum in Marseille, the World Youth Parliament for Water delegates are now involved in the preparatory process, working on their roadmap and strategy of actions for Marseille. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- The World Water Council selected Daegu Metropolitan City and the Republic of Korea to welcome the 7th World Water Forum in 2015, during its 43rd Board of Governors meeting organised on 14-15 November in Rome at the headquarters of the FAO. The selection followed a rigorous evaluation process for the candidates, closed by a final vote of the Governors. Dr. Eun-kyung Park, Water Ambassador for the Republic of Korea, thanked the WWC Governors and expressed her wish to work in close collaboration with Scotland and the City of Glasgow, that competed with them to host the 7th World Water Forum. The vote is conditional upon the signature of an agreement between the World Water Council, Daegu Metropolitan City and the Korean Government, between now and 31 January 2012, so as to specify the terms of their agreement. The Governors concluded this meeting by expressing their desire to reinforce cooperation between the World Water Council and the FAO, in order to place the issues of agriculture and food at the heart of water’s political agenda, in particular during the 6th World Water Forum, which will be held in Marseille from next 12 to 17 March. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Mr. Youssef Amrani has hailed the outcome of the first ministerial meeting on Urban Development, held on 9 and 10 November in Strasbourg, welcoming the Ministerial Declaration entrusting the UfM Secretariat with the task of formulating the future Euro-Mediterranean Urban Development Strategy with UfM member states. A statement said ministers called for the elaboration of a Euro-Mediterranean sustainable development strategy to be formulated by senior official experts with the support of the UfM Secretariat, based on and following the establishment of: - A Guidance framework for sustainable Euro-Mediterranean cities; - A call to donors to favour the emergence of sustainable urban development projects likely to be labelled by the UfM; - A preliminary study on the creation of a coherent mechanism. The Ministerial Declaration also supports the implementation of integrated projects in sustainable urban and spatial development within the UfM and encourages all urban and territorial stakeholders to submit project proposals to the Secretariat. The UfM Secretariat is actively working with the European Investment Bank (EIB), Agence Française du Développement and the European Commission for the preparation of the Urban Projects Finance Initiative and to make this facility, which will provide financial and technical assistance to urban development projects, operational by 2012. Further information on EMWIS website. (See also: Union for the Mediterranean: First Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Urban Development; Strasbourg – Thursday 10 November 2011, Council of Europe, Further information on EMWIS website.).

7- The Ramsar Convention, the MedWet Initiative and the High Commissariat for Water, Forests and Desertification Control of Morocco announce the organisation of an International Symposium on Water and Wetlands in the Mediterranean, to be held in the city of Agadir in Morocco from 6-8 February 2012. In addition, BirdLife International, IUCN, the Tour du Valat, Wetlands International and WWF International are key partners in the organisation of the Symposium. Twenty years after the Grado Conference, this new International Symposium aims to review the current situation of water and wetlands in the Mediterranean, identify new challenges and plan for the next 20 years. Important objectives are to highlight the changes occurring in the Mediterranean and their potential impact on wetlands, to identify ways in which wetland resources can be used sustainably, with a strong emphasis on water resources, and to provide ways for closer cooperation between experts and decision-makers in the Mediterranean involved in the water sector, wetlands, biodiversity and other related fields. Thus, the Symposium will bring together experts on water and wetlands including scientists, wetland managers, conservationists, policy and decision makers and other stakeholders involved in water management and wetland conservation and the sustainable use of wetland resources and services. The meeting will include plenary sessions and workshops on key issues such as sustainable water resources management, climate change and adaptation, and wise (sustainable) use of wetlands and their services, particularly biodiversity and cultural heritage. A field trip of the Souss Massa Ramsar site, a workshop of young ‘experts’ on Mediterranean wetlands, various exhibitions related to wetlands of the Mediterranean region, presentations of local products and cultural visits in the Agadir region will be organised in parallel. The Symposium will also provide the opportunity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, as well as the 20th anniversary of MedWet Initiative. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- On Tuesday, November 22nd, the National Water Supply Utility in Tunisia (SONEDE) announced new tariff increases. The changes began to take effect in September. Some increases will target those who consume more than 100 m3 per three months. The augmentation will not affect underprivileged families. The increase will reach 125 Millime/m3 for those consuming more than 100 and less than 150 m3 per three months, 135 Millime/m3 for a consummation of more than 500 m3, and 85 Millime/m3 for a consummation of more than 150 and less than 500 m3. For the majority of consumers, the price increase will reach 300 Millime per m3. SONEDE explained that these price increases have been introduced to cover the administration’s expenses related to production and maintenance costs. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- The EU-funded Mediterranean Innovation and Research Coordination Action (MIRA) is  organizing a workshop in Tunis on Research and Innovation activities in the Mediterranean Region following on a workshop held in Beirut on Indicators of Science and Cooperation. The workshop aims to continue to harvest data on research and to prepare the discussion on the impact of research and innovation along the lines that have been proposed in the White Paper on strategic indicators on international scientific cooperation and collaboration in the Mediterranean region. A press release said the Workshop, to be held in Tunis on 28 and 29 November, will be divided in two parts: collection and discussion of the science and technology indicators, and the need to enter the debate about innovation and policy study. The Mediterranean Innovation and Research coordination Action (MIRA), funded by the 7th EU Framework Programme, is a dialogue and action platform encouraging scientific and technological collaboration between the Mediterranean Partner Countries and European Countries since 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- Water scarcity is one of the main challenges facing Middle Eastern countries. A typical country in this respect is Syria. This paper estimates projections for the available water resources, water balance, and available water per capita (AWPC) in Syria until 2050 in relation to possible future climate changes, national development agendas, water constraints, and water management alternatives. Results show that the AWPC is likely to be reduced by about half up to 2050. Climate change and population growth will have a huge influence on water availability during the coming decades. However, effective water management can to a great extent counterbalance these negative effects. The implementation of modern irrigation practices and the reuse of domestic wastewater, for example, can save up to 400–800 million cubic meters in 2050. If rainwater harvesting systems are implemented water availability can be utilized much more efficiently. Consequently, it appears that there are reasons to be alarmed but also cautiously optimistic regarding Syria's water availability. This, however, depends on the implementation of good development practices, integrated management and public participation at all levels. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- The new UN-Water Activity Information System Plus (UNW-AIS+) will be expanded to include several new components to its system: “Publications,” “eTraining” and “Forums.” These encompass social networking, groups, as training tools and eLearning modules. The “eTraining” section will be the most innovative section in the new UNW-AIS+, with online lectures delivered by experts. It is developed by UNW-DPC, is an integrated online tool for storing, updating and sharing information (web-based content, documents and multimedia) on existing water-related projects, eTraining tools and other activities carried out by  UN-Water members, partners and associated programmes. Now in a new test version, the new UNW-AIS+ has been expanded to include several new components to its system: in addition to the existing information about activities now included in the “Projects” section, there are new sections on “Publications,” “eTraining,” and “Forums.” These components encompass social networking, groups, as well as training tools and ELearning modules which use the Moodle learning platform. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- A major European joint research project has kicked off to establish the infrastructure and expertise needed to make earth measurements which are sufficiently accurate to make reliable predictions about the effects of climate change. The project is a consortium of European National Measurement Institutes (NMIs) led by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and will devote some 28 man years of effort to bringing greater accuracy to data acquired by the European Earth Observation (EO) community. Monitoring the Earth system is crucial to understanding environmental changes and to developing long term mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change. Global observations can only be made from space. Although such observations are being made, the challenging environment limits the accuracy of current measurement systems. In the case of climate measurements, uncertainty is often a factor of 10 larger than required by climate scientists, who often need measurements of the same level of accuracy found in national measurement laboratories. The project, European Metrology for Earth Observation and Climate (MetEOC) will build a coordinated international capacity and demonstrate its potential capabilities as it seeks to develop a virtual centre for excellence. Activities will initially focus on the optical domain. The outcome of this three year programme will be a body of research, technology, and expertise which can be drawn on by all aspects of the earth observation industry to ensure future missions meet the accuracy levels required for understanding climate change, and that policy makers can rely on the information they deliver. It is anticipated that this will lead to a self-sustainable, transnational virtual centre of excellence – EMCEOC – able to provide the long term measurement expertise and infrastructure to support the European Space Agency, EUMETSAT and the EC, national space agencies and provide an interface between industry and academia. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- Space scientist at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Essam Heggy announced the success of the first experiment in Gulf desert to study the development of underground water in the Middle East. An international team led by Heggy recently traveled to northern Kuwait to map the depth and extent of aquifers in arid environments using an airborne sounding radar prototype.  Radar sounding technology developed to explore the subsurface of Mars has been used to create high-resolution maps of freshwater aquifers buried deep beneath an Earth desert. The research may help scientists better locate and map Earth’s desert aquifers, understand current and past hydrological conditions in Earth’s deserts and assess how climate change is impacting them. Deserts cover roughly 20 percent of Earth’s land surface, including highly populated regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, west and central Asia and the southwestern United States. For two weeks, the team flew a helicopter equipped with the radar on 12 low-altitude passes (305 meters) over two well-known freshwater aquifers, probing the desert subsurface down to the water table at depths ranging from 20 to 65 meters. The researchers successfully demonstrated that the radar could locate subsurface aquifers, probe variations in the depth of the water table, and identify locations where water flowed into and out of the aquifers.  Results of this study pave the way for potential airborne mapping of aquifers in hyper-arid regions such as the Sahara and Arabian Peninsula, and can be applied to design concepts for a possible future satellite mission to map Earth’s desert aquifers. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- In the context of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (UN Convention to Combat Desertification) ESA organised a side event on the monitoring and assessing of land degradation using satellite data. Remote Sensing from space is a powerful and cost-effective way of regularly monitoring the effect of programmes that combat desertification over large or hard-to-reach areas. The ESA-initiated DesertWatch project is developing a user-friendly information system based on Earth Observation technology to support national and local authorities in responding to the reporting obligations of the UNCCD in monitoring land degradation trends over time. In their findings presented at the conference, DesertWatch indicated that nearly half of the land in the south-eastern African country of Mozambique is degraded. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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15- The 6th World Water Forum is looking for interns: The Secretariat of the 6th World Water Forum is seeking (3) students to participate in the implementation of the preparatory work for the thematic process. As part of this internship, the tasks include: monitoring and facilitating the work of a community of experts and international organizations mobilized around the preparation of the technical sessions of the Forum; and the collection, treatment and recovery of the solutions to water issues promoted at the Forum. Deadline: December 10, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- Call for candidates for the 2012 Michel Batisse Award: Deadline for submission: January 15, 2012.  All case studies must be submitted through, and have the endorsement of, the respective MAB National Committees, and/or the UNESCO National Commissions of the country concerned. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- Nominations are now open for the 5th Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW). The prize is aimed at recognizing the efforts of scientists, inventors and research organizations around the world in water related fields.  Last date for submission of applications is January 31, 2012. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- The MEDRC-Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) Center of Excellence in Desalination & Water Reuse announced an Msc Scholarship Award to Samer El Namara for participation in the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) Masters Program. His masters thesis research is entitled Applying Value Engineering Concept in Project Life Cycle Case Study: Deir El Balah Desalination Plant. The IUG supervisor responsible for the scholar was Dr Sawalhi Nabil, Construction Management, University of Salford, Manchester, UK. The MEDRC-PWA CoE Scholarship Program offers students in Gaza and the West Bank the opportunity to study at local universities in the field of water management, desalination and reuse. The aim of the program is to allow students to gain skills and expertise to make a long-term contribution to the further development in desalination and water reuse activities for Gaza and the West Bank. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- SERENA project offers a Postdoc: SERENA project addresses issues related to the integration of the notion of environmental service (SE) in the field of public policies on rural areas. This new perspective involves a reconfiguration of agricultural and rural policies by assigning new objectives included in the database of sustainable development taking better account of environmental and social dimensions. The mission of this Postdoc is: to analyze in the context of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and associated environmental issues, how the use of the notion of SE influences and reconfigures the occupation of space and uses of natural resources, networks of actors and content of public policy. The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, December 11, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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20- MEDSTAT III Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Cooperation - Newsletter No.05 - October 2011: The rhythm of activities of the MEDSTAT III project has not been muchaltered by the events in the region, which proves the sustained support to statistics in the MED countries. The mandates given by the Directors Committee regarding the improved collaboration with other international organizations in the region have been fulfilled, in particular through the organisation of a number of inter-institutional contacts in the fields of Migration, Energy and Agriculture statistics. After some pause due to the Ramadan and holiday periods, a busyautumn is foreseen, including a special meeting of the Directors Committee to further discuss the future strategy for statistical cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- Hands-on guide for implementing CBC projects: A “hands-on” guide containing useful information, practical tips and templates, is now available for organisations implementing ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) projects. The 132-page Project Implementation Manual aims to give Beneficiaries and Partners a better understanding of ENPI CBC rules and procedures so they can better launch and implement their projects. It will also be useful for potential applicants and partners wanting to know about the implementation process.   Further information on EMWIS website.

22- "Towards the concerted management of transboundary aquifer systems: a methodological guide (Aquifères transfrontaliers)": In order to efficiently contribute to take up the challenges of the sustainable management of transboundary aquifers, the French Development Agency (AFD) launched a methodological study in close partnership with UNESCO-IHP's ISARM project, the French Water Academy, the International Office for Water, and the French Geological Survey (BRGM). The aim of this study is to develop an operational guidebook which consists of recommendations targeted to political decision-makers and managers, and includes case studies selected on several continents.  Further information on EMWIS website.

23- "The challenges of implementing an African water resource management agenda": As we move towards Rio +20, this chapter from the recently published "African in Focus: Governance in the 21st century" has relevance since it discusses the outcomes of an important component of Rio 1992's Agenda 21 and provides some lessons to debate during the preparations for Rio +20. In particular it considers the outcomes from different water management approaches in countries that applied "Dublin Principles" and those that followed the approaches outlined in "Agenda 21". Further information on EMWIS website.

24- WWF-US has just announced the official release of Shifting Course: Climate Adaptation for Water Management Institutions. Building upon existing research in several fields, Shifting Course identifies a set of common principles for climate-adaptive institutions. Case studies from Nepal, Brazil, Tanzania, the United States, and Australia are used to explore these principles and to highlight different institutional responses to climate change and related challenges. The report forms the basis for a longer-term process through which WWF-US plans to develop a diagnostic tool and practical guidance that help water management institutions to become more adaptive to climate change.  Further information on EMWIS website.

25- "New UNU-INWEH report: Deep Words, Shallow Words: An Initial Analysis of Water Discourse in Four Decades of UN Declarations": the report examines the changing language of water in high-level declarations from eleven UN conferences on water and the environment over the past forty years and constitutes a contribution by the Institute to the Rio+20 process. The findings of the report should assist drafters of future UN Declarations in ensuring their outputs are effective, robust and reflect mindful and cumulative deepening of work undertaken at previous high-level meetings. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- "Developing solutions for sustainable water management": This policy brief, published by the International Project Office of the Global Water System Project and produced to inform the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), outlines how scientists and policymakers can advance water security by focusing on interdisciplinary research, and ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in developing sustainable solutions to water problems.  Further information on EMWIS website.

27- "Groundwater Security in Yemen: The Critical Role of Local Communities": MetaMeta shares with you a series of videos we've co-produced Levert Communications & Culture, and Water and Environment Centre, Yemen. The series identifies five cases of successful, community-run groundwater management systems that promise a way to food/ water security.  The videos are available in both English and Arabic. Further information on EMWIS website.

28- Remote Sensing of Protected Lands: Tshowcases state-of-the-art remote sensing applications for the inventory and monitoring of protected areas.  Further information on EMWIS website.

29- "Experimental Methods in Hydraulic Research":  The current volume, is the result of a meeting that took place during the 30th International School of Hydraulics in Poland and  presents both the state of the art and ongoing research projects in which experimental methods play a key role. Authors from numerous leading laboratories and from various countries guarantee a representative sample of different studies at the frontier of the field. Further information on EMWIS website.

30- Irrigation with wastewater and Health: The 38 authors and co-authored of this publication are key international experts in the field of irrigation with wastewater, including agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health researchers in Africa , Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and waste water governance thus establishing a clear link between agriculture, health and sanitation is often the missing link of the current debate on the question of how to make wastewater an asset. Further information on EMWIS website.

31- Extensive processes of wastewater treatment adapted to small communities: This guide was developed through a collaboration with France (Water Directorate of the Ministry of Planning and the Environment and Water Agencies), has outlined the intensive techniques and focuses above all on the extensive technical treatment of urban waste water. They are applicable in the various European configurations not exceeding a few thousand population equivalent. Further information on EMWIS website.

32- "Water management: working with the tools of today" (in French): Water management can not be improvised: technical documentation, high-level regulatory and practical knwoledge has become an absolute imperative. This series of books present some operational tools for any specialist, technician, territorial,  developer that must have to respond appropriately to water issues. Further information on EMWIS website.

33- Cemagref is now Irstea: Since November 21, 2011, users can discover a new version of the website where content and presentation have been reviewed and improved. This site offers new features. Organized around seven themes, "Institutions", "Research", "Expertise", "Innovation", "Europe & the world," and "Us" the site provides detailed answers to all your questions. Further information on EMWIS website.

34- UNESCO biosphere reserve and climate change: The proceedings of the high-level international conference in June 2011 in Dresden (Germany) have been published. This publication of 110 pages includes the "Dresden Declaration" on UNESCO biosphere reserves and climate change in the six UN languages and in German. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- The CIHEAM Press Review for October 2011: It includes: a Focus on A2DTRM (Cooperation Project on Innovative Rural Development in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia); an Advanced Course in MAI Zaragoza dealing with “Safety Risks in Aquaculture” from 12 to 16 December 2011; an Atlas Mediterra in Free Access; and a Watch Letter n°18 (Urban Agriculture in the Mediterranean Area). Further information on EMWIS website.

36- Water - a key element in UNESCO biosphere reserves: This new brochure presents ten projects that have been funded over the last three years by a cooperation of UNESCO, Danone Waters Germany and the German Commission for UNESCO.  Further information on EMWIS website.

37- The Issue N° 19 (November 2011) of the GEWAMED Newsletter (Mainstreaming Gender Dimensions Into Water Resources Development and Management in the Mediterranean Region) is now available. GEWAMED is a Coordinated Action financed by the INCO (International Scientific Co-operation) Programme within the Six Framework Research Programme of the European Commission (EC) and addressed to the countries of the Mediterranean Region. Further information on EMWIS website.

38- The latest monthly newsletter on Water Ethics is available online. Further information on EMWIS website.

39- Water Resources Management, Vol. 25, Issue 14 - New Issue Alert: is available now online. Further information on EMWIS website.

40- INWEB International network of Water Environment Centres in the Baltics has renewed its website: INWEB started as a non-governmental association operating as a network of networks, each of the 10 Balkan member countries having a focal point for its own country's members. Concentrating on transboundary waters, it aims to ensure top quality information on water problems in SEE, resolve conflicts in shared basins and develop a common approach for sustainable water management. In 2003 it was appointed as a UNESCO Chair on “sustainable management of water and conflict resolution”. Further information on EMWIS website.

41- The Joint Managing Authority  of the ENPI CBC Med Programme has just announced the first edition of the ENPI News Live, a new tool aimed at diffusing the state of play, results and opportunities of the ENPI CBC Med Programme. Further information on EMWIS website.

42- New book: "The Right to Water: Politics, Governance and Social Struggles". It engages with a range of approaches that focus on philosophical, legal and governance perspectives before seeking to apply these more abstract arguments to an array of concrete struggles and case studies. In so doing, the book builds on empirical examples from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the European Union. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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43- Call for project on "ICT for efficient water resources management: ICT-2011.6.3": Water management enabled by ICT is a new and promising area with the objective to integrate real-time knowledge on demand and supply across water distribution networks and water sources. The work to be done calls for partnerships between ICT equipment providers, software companies and water authorities. Targeted outcomes: ICT-enabled solutions for integrated water resources management (IWRM), involving as key building blocks: innovative demand management systems, decision support systems and data management technologies. The proposed ICT solutions shall involve robust and proven technologies permitting a holistic approach towards IWRM, and possibly include new data management technologies with realtime predictive capability demand forecasting, advanced metering, real-time communication of consumption patterns, adaptive pricing, and/or combined energy and water management schemes. Deadline: 17 January 2012, at 17:00.00 Brussels local time. Further information on EMWIS website.

44- "ENPI CBC-Med: Update regarding the second call for standard projects": The Programme will launch its second call for standard projects in December 2011. The Application Pack of the call will be proposed for approval to the participating countries on the occasion of the fifth Joint Monitoring Committee scheduled in Malta at the end of November. The launching of the second call for standard projects will be supported by a series of information events to be held in the eligible territories. Dates and locations will be communicated on the Programme website. On the other hand, The first Projects Selection (Strategic projects) Committee (PSC) took place in Cagliari on 24th, 25th and 26th October. The PSC examined and approved the outcomes of the administrative check and qualitative assessment related to the 300 Concept Notes submitted under the call for strategic projects. The next step of the selection process is set at the end of November (Malta on 28th, 29th and 30th November) when the Joint Monitoring Committee, Programme governing body, will take the final decision regarding the Concept Notes invited to present a Full Application Form. By mid-December, the Joint Managing Authority will inform all the Applicants about the results (administrative check and qualitative assessment as the case may be) of this first selection process step of the call for strategic projects. Further information on EMWIS website.

45- Joint Innovative Projects Fund STDF - IRD 2011, Joint announcement 2nd Call for Proposals: The Institute of Development Research (IRD) and the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF)  are announcing the launch of their second joint Call for proposals. With a budget of 1.8 million euros, this Call aims to encourage and strengthen the research partnership between theEgyptian and French researchers. The first Call for proposals was published jointly in May 2010. A Joint Steering IRD / STDF selected nine programs last year including seven research projects, a chair of excellence and a scholarship of scientific mobility. These teams began their work in September, and has received a support of around € 100,000 to € 300,000. The following cooperation mechanisms will be financed under this call for proposals: Research Projects developed by joint Egyptian-French research teams; Cross Chairs of Excellence; Scientific Mobility Grants. The priorities include among others: Environment and water technologies, agriculture and food as well as space sciences and their applications. The deadline for receiving the online applications is 18th of december 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

46- Tempus IV publishes fifth call for proposals: up to €66.6 million available for neighbourhood partners: Up to €66.6 million has been earmarked for the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhood countries under the Tempus IV Higher Education Programme’s fifth call for proposals, which has just been published. Under the call, €22.8 million each have been allocated for the Southern and Eastern Neighbouring areas, plus an additional €6.25 million each under the reserve that the relevant financing decision is adopted by the European Commission. The call for proposals seeks joint projects with a ‘bottom-up’ approach aimed at institutional modernisation and reform, and structural measures seeking to contribute to the development and reform of higher education systems in partner countries. The programme is aimed at institutions and organisations based in four groups of eligible countries: 27 EU member states, the 17 countries in the Southern and Eastern neighbouring area of the European Union (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Tunisia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine), 4 countries of the Western Balkan region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as Kosovo under UNSC Resolution 1244/99), and 5 Central Asian Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). The maximum grant will amount to €1,500,000. The deadline for submission of applications is 23 February 2012, 12.00 Brussels time. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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47- Call for contributions for the Resilient Cities 2012: 3rd World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change: 12-15 May 2012, Bonn, Germany Preceding and during the UNFCCC Bonn Climate Talks (14 to 26 May 2012). The themes for the call for contributions are: Urban risk assessment and management, Socio-economic dimensions of climate change adaptation, Institutional dimensions, Strategy, policy integration and mainstreaming, Urban adaptation planning and practice: Experiences and solutions (including urban design), Resilient infrastructure (including urban logistics), and Financing the resilient city. The submission deadline is 31 December 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

48- Call for abstracts for the Sixth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 06): The Sixth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 06) will be held in Amman/Jordan on March 12-14, 2012. The contributed research papers will be subjected to peer reviewing. The conference also accepts case studies presenting unit/process/plant development which will appear in a separate proceeding volume. Submission of Abstracts has been postponed to Dec. 31, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website. 

49- WASH Media Awards 2011-2012- Call for paper: The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) welcome entries for the fourth edition of the WASH Media Awards. All entries must be received no later than 1st April 2012 together with a duly filled in entry form. Further information on EMWIS website.

50- Call for abstracts for the New Prospects and Challenges for Science and Education in the MENA region: This conference to be held in Marrakech (Morocco) next 9-11 March 2012; addresses a very timely topic- new prospects for science and education in the MENA region in light of the recent developments in the Arab world. Abstracts submission deadline: December 15, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

51- Call for abstracts for the 3rd International Interdisciplinary conference on Predictions for Hydrology, Ecology and Water Resources Management: Water Resources and Changing Global Environment (HydroPredict2012). This conference will take place in Vienna (Austria) next year: 24-27/09/2012. The deadline for abstract submission is 1 February 2012. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- In the framework of the UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP) activities in Africa, the first call for abstracts is just announced for the conference on: "Water Sciences for Sound Africa Water Policies and Governance in a Changing Environment" to be held jointly with the 4th regional meeting of Sub-Saharan Africa IHP National Committees in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 23 to 27 April 2012. Deadline for submission of abstracts: 6 January 2012. Further information on EMWIS website.

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Call for abstracts for the IWA WATERLOSS EUROPE Conference - Abstracts submission deadline postponed to: December 20, 2011: Call for abstracts for the IWA WATERLOSS EUROPE Conference: This conference to be held in Ferrara (Italy) next 23-25 May 2012; addresses a very timely topic- water loss management in Europe. A special fund will cover the participation cost for the best abstracts "under 32 years old" presenters. Abstracts submission deadline: December 20, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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53- MEDRC conducted trilateral course on desalination - 30 October - 4 November, 2011: MEDRC in partnership with Jordan Water Authority (JWA), Israel Water Authority (IWA) and Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) organized and conducted a five day specialized course on Desalination in Tel Aviv. The course was developed and run by ADAN Technical & Economic Services Ltd. for management level professionals. The course was tailored to the following subjects: planning, decision making and oversight of the initiation, development, tendering, contracting, construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) of seawater and brackish water desalination plants. Emphasis was placed on the fundamentals of desalination processes and technologies, the key design, operation and maintenance parameters and requirements of full-scale plants based on these processes and technologies, their significance and implications to the plants' owners and managers, and the main potential issues, concerns and constraints involved in executing state or water utility sponsored desalination projects. Special attention was given to lessons learned. The objective of the MEDRC Tri-lateral Capacity Building Program in desalination and water reuse is to run a multi-year training program to address capacity building needs in these technical fields. Further information on EMWIS website.

54- University Diploma in management of sanitation services - Baeza (Spain), 30-01-2012 / 05-10-2012: The International University of Andalusia (Spain), through its Antonio Machado in Baeza (Jaén), organizes the Diploma Course on sanitation services management (Clinical Laboratory specialties, Pathology, Biobanks and Diagnostic Imaging Services) with a total duration of 37 ECTS credits *. Further information on EMWIS website.

55- Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Flood Risk Management: Application deadline: January 8th, 2012. The Erasmus Mundus Masters Course on Flood risk management is offered by the consortium consisting of UNESCO-IHE (the Netherlands), TU Dresden (Germany), UPC Barcelona (Spain) and University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). The programme starts September 2012. Integrated flood risk management aims to reduce the human and socio-economic losses caused by flooding while taking into account the social, economic and ecological benefits from floods and the use of flood plains or coastal zones. The need for the adoption of a holistic integrated approach to managing flood risks has been reflected in the Flood Directive of the European Parliament. Further information on EMWIS website.

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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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PROJECTS (Projects database)
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