WaDImena Monthly Drop 18 No-Dec 08

§      WaDImena and partners actively participate at the 1st Arab Water Forum in Riyadh

During the period from 16 to 19 November, the 1^st AWF was held at the King Fahd Cultural Centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The AWF in Riyadh comes as a step in the road to the 5^th World Water Forum (WWF5) that will be held in Istanbul on 16-22 March 09 with the main theme “Bridging Divides for Water”. Hence, the AWF focussed on presenting and discussing the progress of the MENA/Arab Region’s preparatory processes towards the WWF5, for which the AWC acts as the regional coordinator. WaDImena was involved in the preparations for the AWF, and has supported and contributed to the Forum through… Continue...

§      A Water Demand Management (WDM) in MENA day at the AWF in Riyadh

This WDM in MENA workshop was organized by WaDImena on 19 November. Country experiences were shared and participants expressed their views on the WDM critical issues and the way forward. Discussions in the workshop focussed on governance, indicators, pricing, agricultural demand management and decentralization. Read more…

§     Applied research and pilot projects present their progress and findings

In a WaDImena restricted meeting held on 18 November, team leaders of the WaDImena supported projects presented their projects and findings so far. View their presentations here…

§     A MEDIA KIT on WDM in MENA recently published by WaDImena

This kit contains information tailored primarily for the media community. It contains up-to-date knowledge about water demand management in the form of policy briefs, success stories, water briefs, a brochure and a CD in English, French and Arabic. This material explains water demand management and the contributions of WaDImena in promoting efficient, equitable and sustainable water management in MENA. The kit is intended to assist the media in promoting and raising awareness of the public and policy makers about good water governance. Access online…

§     Climate still a top concern despite financial crisis: survey by HSBC Climate Partnership

The environment remains a top concern despite the financial crisis, according to a global poll published Wednesday that finds 43 percent see climate change as a bigger problem than the economy. HSBC bank's second annual report on environmental concerns reveals residents of a dozen countries surveyed would like to see their governments take more decisive action to fight global warming. Read more…

§     The WaDImena funded project in Farafra Oasis, Egypt bridges links between farmers and government officials

The Desert Development Centre of the AUC organized a meeting to enable dialogue between local farmers, government representatives, desert development and water management experts and researchers. Discussions focussed on possibilities to build partnerships between local NGOs, government agencies and other stakeholders and how to ensure the sustainability of the newly established Farmers’ Association empowered to tackle water problems in their command Area at Abu Minqar.

§     WaDImena actively participates at Capacity Development Workshop on Wastewater Management in the Mediterranean Region

This capacity Building programme “Towards an Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in the Mediterranean Region” is held on 15-17 December in Ismailia, Egypt. This training is organized by INNOVA-MED with the aim to discuss a variety of issues related to treatment and reuse of wastewater in the region. Dr. Laamrani, WaDImena, gives a presentation on Water Demand Management in the Middle East and North Africa: Current status and the way forward. Read more…

§     …and  contributes to Water Governance Training  to national middle level management water professionals in Egypt

In collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Egypt, WaDImena is contributing to a Water Governance training geared at national middle level management. The objective of the training is to expose the participants to the concepts, tools and methods of water governance in hands-on training. Dr. Laamrani will deliver a talk on Water Governance in MENA: Methods and current status.

READ OF THE MONTH

§     WDM in MENA Media Kit, WaDImena 2008 Access online…

§     Water implications of biofuel crops, IWMI 2008 Read online

§     SAS2 A Guide to Collaborative Inquiry and Social Engagement, IDRC 2008 Read online…

LINKS

§     Climate Safety

§     Water Network Info

§     CGIAR Challenge Program on Food & Water

EVENTS

§     The United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP 14, 1-12 December 2008, Poznań, Poland Go to website…

§     Water Governance Hands-on Training  - 3-5 January 2009, Egypt

§     Water & Land Capacity Development Workshop for Water and Environmental Journalists - 22-24 January 2009, Egypt More info…

§     International Conference on Implementing Environmental Water Allocations - 23-26 February 2009, South Africa Go to website…

§     For Youth: What do you think of water? A project by IHP, UNESCO Find out more…