Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector

Call for papers for the International symposium: “Water and sustainable development: actors, challenges and international cooperation”

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

This international symposium will be held in Saint Martin Vésubie (France) the days 25-27 September 2007. The workshops of this symposium will deal with the following themes:

AXIS 1 - WATER RESOURCES AND CHALLENGES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND
􀀹 What are the water resources of the Mediterranean countries? Are we moving towards a predictable catastrophe? Quantitative data and qualitative approaches of scarcity

􀀹 Water appropriation and conflict : the different local and national strategies for production and reproduction of the territory.

WORKSHOP 2 – THE USE OF WATER: AGRICULTURAL HYDRAULICS AND URBAN HYDRAULICS
􀀹 Irrigated agriculture: dynamics and institutional problems? What future for the hydraulic societies against the population growth, increased scarcity of the resources and desertification?
􀀹 Access to drinking water and drainage by the disadvantaged population: experiences and projects.
􀀹 From water right to right for water : semantic shift or source of a new social and political conflict?

WORKSHOP 3 – TRAINING AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
􀀹 Aid and cooperation for water: evaluation, training and achievements.
􀀹 Role of the NGOs in the politics of training and support of the migrants and local actors of water.

This symposium is under the scientific direction of Jean Yves Boursier and Toufik Ftaïta, teachers and researchers in ethnology at the Nice Sophia Antipolis University, and members of the laboratory: CIRCLES EA 3159 : « Centre Interdisciplinaire, Récits, Cultures, Langues et Sociétés »

An abstract of 1500 characters including spaces presenting your paper should be sent by email for evaluation by the scientific committee before august 15, 2007. The participants will receive written notification and the modalities for expense payments.

Participation to this symposium is free, but prior registration is necessary to allow the organiser a better assistance to the participants (transportation, lodging and catering).

Registration Form

CGIAR Challenge Programs: A Call for Cycle 2 Pre-Proposals

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research invites all interested parties to develop pre-proposals on any of the following ideas for Challenge Programs:

(a) climate change, agriculture and food security;

b) high-value crops (fruits and vegetables); and

Challenge Programs are part of a far-reaching effort to enhance the effectiveness and impact of CGIAR's research investment. They:

address complex issues of great global and/or regional significance;
involve high impact research relating to CGIAR goals;
work through broad partnerships involving a wide range of institutions;
are independently governed; and
are committed to achieving specific objectives within an agreed time frame.

They involve at least two CGIAR Centres and two developing country national agricultural research systems. Four Challenge Programs are currently being implemented and initial indications from pilot programs showed that they are fulfilling their purpose. The CGIAR has therefore decided to embark on a second cycle with the aim of advancing the new CGIAR system priorities.

Pre-proposals may be developed and submitted by any organisation capable of managing a major international agricultural research program. These must be submitted via email no later than September 10, 2007, to the following address: cppreproposals@cgiar.org.

Closing Date: 10 September 2007
Agency: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

General Assembly of the Mediterranean Institute for Water

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

The General Assembly of the Mediterranean Institute for Water (IME), held in Marseilles on 25 June, approved the five-year working plan 2007-2012 for the Institute’s future activities.

IME is now able to maintain its mission in the Mediterranean region as a network for exchange and cooperation. Within the framework of this cooperation, the IME wishes to mobilize the Mediterranean Water Community and organize a regional initiative at the next World Water Forum which will be held in Istanbul in March 2009. Mr. Loïc Fauchon has called for the representatives of the Mediterranean Water Community to participate actively in this regional initiative.

Du Droit de l’eau au Droit à l’eau au Maroc et ailleurs (From Right to Water to Water Right in Morocco and Elsewhere) – Houria Tazi Sadeq – ED. Eddif, Casablanca 2007-07-02

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

With the objective of investigating how to contribute to an efficient water administration, within the framework of long-lasting environmental development, this book appeals to international rights that refuse to establish a juridical and institutional structure that concerns water as a source of life, social good, cultural politics, economy and geo-politics.

The book values the past of water hydraulics while explaining its socio-religious function. It also brings back into favour the traditional way of handling water, insists on the importance of social acceptance of change and stresses the relevancy for Morocco’s decision makers, as well as communities, to understand the value of water. Houria Tazi Sadeq,a lawyer and juridical expert, holds the title of interdisciplinary UNESCO Chair for Sustainable Water Management. She is also a governor for The World Water Council. She testifies, through this book, of water’s effect of mobilization through a social organizational factor and a democratic tenet.

Water Policy for Sustainable Development

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

This book examines river-basin management cases around the world to show how fresh water can be managed to sustain economic development while protecting the environment. The author argues that policy makers can employ adaptive management to avoid making decisions that could harm the environment, to recognize and correct mistakes, and to monitor environmental and socioeconomic changes caused by previous policies.

WWC News Update nb 26 / La lettre d'information du CME no 26

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

In this issue:

- Editorial: “Water & Politics” - by Loïc Fauchon, President

- At a glance: Water & Culture

- This month’s focus: Water and Culture

ü Cinema as a tool for raising awareness on water issues – The International Water & Film Event

ü A Ramsar/Medwet Award at the Ecofilms Festival

ü Zarqa River Photo Exhibition

ü Past and Futures of Water: 5th IWHA Conference

ü Water Battles

- WWC News

ü 29th Board of Governors Meeting of the WWC

ü Financing Water to meet the MDGs

ü Water Security – Does Europe have a Strategy?

ü Говорим по Русский! (We speak Russian!)

ü Water for a Changing World

- On the Member’s Side

ü The French Committee of ICID gathers in Marseilles

ü ICOLD Meeting in St Petersburg

ü General Assembly of the Mediterranean Institute for Water

- Blue News

ü World Environment Day – Melting Ice: a Hot topic?

ü A Prize for “Water Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas”

ü 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit

- Publications, Where to meet

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

ENPI e-bulletin July 6 / IEVP ebulletin 6 juillet 2007

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

The European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument - ENPI: The European Union provides financial support to its eastern neighbours and those along the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean through the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument launched in January 2007. This instrument, within the European Neighbourhood Policy, promotes enhanced cooperation and progressive economic integration between the EU and its partner countries and builds on common values. The countries covered by the ENPI are: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Russia, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Negotiating and Implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

Over the past several decades, the international community has established a range of legally binding agreements designed to tackle the world’s most serious environmental challenges. Each of these Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) focuses on a specific problem, be it hazardous waste, trade in endangered species, climate change or some other pressing concerns at the time the agreement was developed.

In parallel, the role played by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the international negotiation of MEAs and then in their national and local application has grown considerably.

In this context and given these new challenges, this Manual attempts to link these two areas of MEA formulation and civil society participation. Its goal is to both strengthen multi-stakeholder participation and increase political momentum for effective MEA development, implementation and enforcement. The format of the Manual follows the sequence of governments’ and NGOs’ actual work on conferences and treaties. It provides step-by-step background information and approaches, ‘inside the process’ guidance, and expert advice on how stakeholders can effectively engage in developing and implementing MEAs.

This work is a collaborative effort made by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and three organizations that have teamed to produce this Manual: Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, el Centro de Estudios Ambientales - CEDEA and Earth Media.

This project is part of UNEP’s extensive involvement with MEAs – a role that includes serving as secretariat for specific MEAs, and providing cooperation and support functions on many issues for national governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and local authorities. It is a companion to UNEP’s Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of MEAs (2002), and its Manual on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (2006).

This Manual for NGOs is available on free access at www.unep.org/delc and/or www.unep.org/civil_society/index.asp

And also at http://www.stakeholderforum.org/

The Manual can be also ordered in hard copy through earth print at www.unep.org/publications/

New LIFE Focus brochure out: "LIFE-Third Countries 1992-2006: Supporting Europe's neighbours in building capacity for environmental policy and action"

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

Since its launch, LIFE-TCY has co-financed numerous projects supporting the development of environmental policy and management capabilities in third countries. In this way, it has also become a thematic pioneer programme in the neighbourhood context. Different programmes directed at strengthening the relationship between the EU and its neighbours can profit from the rich pool of experiences assembled by LIFE-TCY.

Some of the many achievements of the programme are illustrated in this publication, which outlines 15 years of LIFE-TCY. The projects that have been selected for inclusion demonstrate the range and scope of activities carried out over the years and the phases of the LIFE regulation, as well as the environmental benefits derived from LIFE-TCY assistance.

The brochure shows the positive role that LIFE-TCY has played in helping to solve environmental problems, build institutional and administrative capacities in the environmental sector and increase the environmental protection in the EU-bordering regions.

EBRD helps improve water supply in northwestern Romania: €18 million to help regionalisation of water utility in Oradea

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

Some 26,000 people living in northwestern Romania, near the Hungarian border, will benefit from cleaner water and reduced pollution as a result of a €18 million EBRD loan that will also extend the reach of the local water network.

The significant environmental benefits of the loan also include the reduction of cross-border groundwater pollution in the Crisul Repede River on the border between Hungary and Romania.

A €12 million portion of the loan will be used to co-finance the extension of the water and wastewater network in Oradea by constructing water and sewage pipes in parts of the city and 8 adjacent communities which are not currently connected to the network.

These investments will be the first step in the company’s transformation into a sustainable regional operator - one of the key criteria for eligibility for EU cohesion funds. An additional €200,000 of technical cooperation funds for consultancy services will assist the company in its regionalisation, achieving substantial efficiency gains and greater access to commercial capital.

The remaining €6 million portion of the loan will be used to restructure the original City-backed loan into a direct finance to the local utility without recourse to a sovereign guarantee. Of the total €18 million loan, €8 million will be syndicated to Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich Aktiengesellschaft.

The EBRD is a major investor in regional infrastructure including the water and waste-water sector projects in Romania, which have been identified as one of the highest priorities during Romania’s discussions on environment for its EU accession. This project is the third EBRD project with a regional water utility in Romania, following the signing of the projects in Cluj Salaj in 2005 and Timisoara in 2007.

- Tel: ; E-mail:

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

Technical bulletin on greywater reuse - WDM trilingual glossary

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

WaDImena has produced a technical bulletin on greywater treatment and reuse in MENA, and it is available now online. This bulletin introduces greywater as a Water Demand Management tool that has the potential to contribute to alleviating water scarcity in the dry countires of the MENA region. The bulletin captures local knowledge on greywater treatment and reuse in MENA, gained as a result of research projects funded and coordinated by IDRC. It is intended to highlight the future courses of action requisite to balance between the increasing challenges of water scarcity, food security and sustainable development. The bulletin also sheds light on the Aqaba declaration that came out as a result of the greywater experts meeting held back in February 2007.

The bulletin is written by Karma El-Fadl, and edited by Doaa Arafa, Lorra Thompson and Mark Redwood, and is produced in English, French and Arabic.

Also, the 2nd edition of the WDM trilingual glossary has finally been produced on CDs.

Mediterranean Foreign Ministers discuss Middle East and ENP

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

The Peace Process in the Middle East, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the migrations and the future of Europe are among the topics being discussed in Slovenia at the 4th Informal Meeting of the Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Portoroz-Koper, Slovenia today (6 July). The ministers will also analyse together the recent French initiative for the Mediterranean Union.

Call for contributions for the 5th International Conference Conference on Solid waste, Sewage and Air emissions management

2007-07-09T00:00:00Z

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.

Key Conference Themes:
Legal and regulatory framework of waste management; Sanitary, environmental, institutional and economic aspects of waste management; Waste management technologies, equipment and services; Landfill construction and operation; Radioactive and toxic waste treatment; Wastewater treatment. Sludge management. Sludge fields; Air emissions. Gaseous emission treatment. Dust and slag management; Waste to energy; Informational, programming and metrological support; Environmental insurance systems, certification,standardization, audit,due diligence review; Public participation in waste management.

Deadline for abstracts is 1 December 2007.