The new Board will introduce itself soon to you through this web site. For more information about the Board elections and the 3rd Annual Meeting, please go to Annual Meeting web site.

YWAT WORKSHOP CANADA: 'THE CULTURE OF WATER: DEVELOPING YOUTH STEWARDSHIP'

What is YOUR relationship with the world’s most precious resource? From May 7th - 9th the Culture of Water is presented by Waterlution and the Young Water Action Team (YWAT). There will be a $20 registration fee. Join us for an experiential water learning journey…

For more information or to fill out the registration form, please download the package below and you will discover what YWAT Canada has to offer you!

The Culture of Water_Event Package: PDF | PowerPoint

For any questions, please contact the YWAT organizing committee: Christine Bartlett or Rob Niven.

We hope to welcome you in Canada!

YWAT MEMBER ATTENDS THE BALTIC SEA DAY - INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM

From March 22nd till 25th "The Baltic Sea Day" -The International Environmental Forum, devoted to the 30th Anniversary of Helcom, will take place. This event will be organized by HELCOM secretariat and Ministry of Natural Resourses of Russia.

YWAT member Ksenia Shelest from Russia is going to participate in the Forum where she will give a presentation about YWAT's activities for water awareness building during one of the sessions. Read more

WORLD WATER DAY, MARCH 22ND 2004: YWAT IN ACTION

The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and the World Meteorological Organization were charged with co-ordinating events on World Water Day. On the World Water Day web site more information is available about the background of World Water Day and about the events that were organized. On a special part of UNESCO's web site you will find World Water Day brochures, posters and related publications.

Members of YWAT together with the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) organized a workshop in Accra, Ghana from March 20th - 22nd. PAVE, a non-profit youth focused organization based in Nigeria, and YWAT aimed to increase the participation of young people in West Africa in the water sector and to educate them about water priorities. The target group was 18-30 year olds willing to express their opinion in water issues. For more information please contact Akpan Anthony Johnson.

YWAT PRESENT AT GREEN BELGIUM MEETING IN ESPALION

On the 18th of February a small delegation of YWAT, Petra de Regt from the Secretariat and aspirant YWAT member Erik Verhofstad travelled to Brussels to attend an annual meeting of GREEN Belgium, an organization which is trying to set up a well functioning Youth Water Network, which will have about the same goals as YWAT, but with a target group of 12-18 year old youngsters. The next morning everybody went to Espalion, to the South of France where the rest of the meeting would be held. Read more

YWAT NIGERIA ORGANIZED SUCCESSFUL LECTURE 'SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT'

On Wednesday February 17th YWAT Nigeria Coordinator Francis Abayomi organized the first youth water awareness-raising activity in one of the tertiary institutions in the African country. A lecture, entitled 'Sustainable Water Resources Development in Nigeria' was held.

A combination non-formal and formal education methods was used. Methods such as interactive group work, action learning, external experts’ inputs were incorporated. Moreover, YWAT information leaflets were distributed to participants afterwards.

This pilot project, involving more than 100 students focused on both theoretical and practical sides of Sustainable Water Resources Development in Nigeria. The target group consisted of engineering and environmental students from Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho, Oyo state in Nigeria. The lecture was based on the specific needs of sustaining water in the country.

The lecture agenda, opening prayer and introduction to the high table was done by Lanre Ogunronmila the introduction of YWAT was done by the coordinator Francis Abayomi, the presentation of the lecture by Prof. J.A. Ogunrombi and the closing prayer by Lola Aratunde.

The Registration for the lecture was free of charge. The program was co-sponsored by Wanilake frust and Children Rights Agenda. All participants will receive an official certificate of attendance.

Do you want more information? Please send an email to Francis Abayomi.

YWAT AND WSSCC HAVE LAUNCHED: 'RETHINKING THE FUTURE: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN WATER AND SANITATION'

In the last few months of 2003 YWAT members Joachim Ezeji, Mostafa Elkhedr, Chalaka Fernando, Rashed Islam and Agustin Brena submitted case studies for the Youth Employment Summit report, a joint publication by the WSSCC and YWAT. All five case studies were either used in full in the Appendix or referenced throughout the report. Yoseph Araya, Alejandra Martin Galves and Vahakn Kabakian also made excellent contributions to the 'Investing in Youth' section of the report.

In mid-December the publication was officially launched at the Hyderabad Summit in India and it is now available online

MENAYWAT AND EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATION JOIN HANDS

Under the Auspices of His Excellency, Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, a workshop on Strengthening the Existing Youth Organization within the Ministry was held in Ain El-Soukhna in the Red Sea, during the Period January 14th to 17th 2004. Mostafa Elkhedr, coordinator of Middle East and North African YWAT (MENAYWAT) participated.

The workshop was hosted by the Egyptian–Dutch Advisory Panel Project (APP). APP started the preparations for the workshop in June 2003 with a set of meetings for the facilitation team (Dr. Ossama Salem ‘the National Consultant’, Ms. Rawya Eldabi ‘Facilitator’, and YWAT-member Eng. Mostafa Elkhedr ‘Facilitator’) with the ministry leaders, APP director and assistant director, the ICID representative from MWRI, and the current MWRI youth organization leader. Important issues were discussed in those meetings which included; the current status of the existing youth organization, structure, activities, information inflow, relation of the youth organization with the ministry leaders. On the one hand this was done in order to find out the reasons that had led to the weakness of the existing youth organization. On the other hand, MWRI's future needs from the youth organization are a proposal for a new structure, a description of the type of activities, the selection criteria of members, financing and the relation with other national and international youth organizations. Read more

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: UNESCO-IHE MASTERS PROGRAMMES AND FELLOWSHIPS 2004-2005

From the start of the new academic year 2004-2005, UNESCO-IHE introduced four new Masters Programmes. Together, these programmes offer 15 specialisations focused on water, the environment and infrastructure. The Master of Engineering programmes take twelve months, whilst the Master of Science programmes are eighteen months long. With their modular structure, the programmes offer flexibility; modules from various programmes – including those of partner universities – may be combined to seek an optimum 'blend' of learning scenarios.

Candidates are invited to send in applications for the UNESCO-IHE Masters Programmes starting in October 2004. Early admissions (preferably February) will allow candidates who seek financial support to apply for a fellowship in time. The deadline for most fellowships, including the NFP fellowship, is approaching.

Detailed programme and fellowship information, as well as application forms are available on the UNESCO-IHE website: masters and fellowships.

'THE BASIS OF CIVILIZATION - WATER SCIENCE?'

From December 3rd to 6th 2003 the International Symposium 'The Basis of Civilization - Water Science?' was successfully organized by the Italian National Committee for the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and Italian National Committee for the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO.

Being a young water professional and YWAT Board member, PhD researcher Rongchao Li, participated in the session of 'The Impact of Water Resources Development and Management on Society' by presentation of her paper 'Integrated Water Resources Management for the yellow River Basin in China: Discussion on Scientific and Ethical Approaches'. Her presentation answered the question on how young generations deal with water issues by use of wisdom of nature and by use of indigenous culture which was promoted by President of IAHS, Prof. Takeuchi (Japan). On the last day of the symposium, Rongchao Li was also invited as a panelist for the summary and vision of the future. Read more

58TH BIRTHDAY UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATED

On October 24th the 58th birthday of the United Nations was celebrated all around the world. In The Netherlands this occasion was celebrated by the organization of the ‘Day of the United Nations’ and the ‘Night of the United Nations’. Because 2003 is the International Year of Fresh Water the Netherlands Association for the United Nations (NVVN) and the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) decided to organize a discussion about water shortages and the roll of the United Nations in solving them. To kick of the discussion 3 speakers were invited to present their views on what the roll of the UN should be in solving the world’s water shortages. The speakers represented education (C. Figueres, IHE-UNESCO), private sector (Peter Vos, Royal Haskoning) and young people (Vincent Vulto, YWAT). All speakers agreed that the UN can play a larger role that it currently does. Opinions on what that role should be differed. Peter Vos felt a larger role should be reserved for private enterprise while the other speakers favored a more coordinating role for the UN. All said and done it was an interesting day, so: Congratulations United Nations

RONGCHAO LI PARTICIPATED IN 1ST INTERNATIONAL YELLOW RIVER FORUM ON RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT, ZHENGZHOU, CHINA

It is well known that the Yellow River, cradle of the Chinese nationality, is one of the most complicated rivers in the world. Flood and drought happen frequently and bring huge disasters to people in the basin and along the lower reach of the river. Recently, the conflicts deduced by water shortage and water pollution have been regarded as loss of Chinese culture, a political issue. The 1st International Yellow River Forum on River Basin Management (IYRF) in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, China, is a congress in the field of water resources, and a good chance for scientists who are engaged in river basin management, hydraulic project research and management to exchange and discuss the river basin management and the science of water. A lot of international water engineers and professors from 32 countries participated in the forum, including some NGOs and organizations. On Oct. 21-24th, 2003, YWAT Board Member Rongchao Li, as a young water engineer attended the IYRF. She presented three papers during the forum: 1) Control or not Control, Experience Share on Historical and Present Flood Control Policy in the Yellow River in China and in the Netherlands, 2) Integrated Water Resources Management for the Yellow River Basin in China, and 3) Transboundary Water Allocation in the Yellow River and the Nile River: a Comparative Analysis on Water Scarcity and Institutional Aspects. Her presentation reflected young people’s dynamic mind to devote to water issues. Rongchao Li also discussed with some international organizations or NGOs (for instance, IHE, IWMI, IRRI, WB, ADB, etc) on behalf of YWAT and PhD research on young people’s involvement in and contribution to water issues. She believes that with time going on, more and more voice and achievement will be raised and obtained by young people

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA YWAT AND EGYPTIAN WATER PARTNERSHIP JOIN HANDS

YWAT member, Eng. Mostafa Elkhedr, Middle East and North Africa YWAT Coordinator participated in the launching event of the Egyptian Water Partnership on the 25th of October in JW Marriott Cairo. The EWP establishment draw attention of all the water sectors in Egypt (Governmental, Non Governmental, Politicians, Actors). In the opening session, Dr. Abu-Zeid, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt and the former President of the World Water Council, presented the recommendations of the Third World Water Forum and the role of EWP to implemented such recommendations in the national scale. Dr. Abu-Zeid emphasizes the role of youth and other organizations in the implementation of the action plans of the EWP. The Netherlands Ambassador in Cairo mentioned the importance of the EWP in gathering all who are interested in water issues under one umbrella. One of his important statements was: "We can’t pass the water poverty limit unless we manage our water resources".

In the picture, from right to left, EWP communication officer ‘Eng. Amr Abedl-Megeed’, YWAT member ‘Eng. Mostafa Elkhedr’, EWP initiative group members ‘Dr. Ahmad Wagdy and Dr Diaa El-Qoussi’, and EWP director ‘Dr. Khaled Abu-Zeid’.

Middle East and North Africa YWAT ‘MENAYWAT’ represented by its coordinator, Eng. Mostafa Elkhedr, is a member in the EWP and it has a good opportunity to lead the youth related activities with EWP.

YWAT BECOMES OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE WORLD WATER COUNCIL

Last month, on September 11th, YWAT became an official member of the World Water Council. The World Water Council (WWC) is the International Water Policy Think Tank dedicated to strengthening the world water movement for an improved management of the world's water resources. The organization was established in Marseille, France, in 1996 as a non-profit non-governmental umbrella organization.

As a new member YWAT was invited to be present at the 3rd General Assembly (GA) of the World Water Council that took place in Marseilles, France from September 30th to October 2nd last. Many national and international, governmental and non-governmental organizations from the water sector were present. YWAT was represented by Petra de Regt from the Secretariat of our organization. The venue of the meeting was the Palais du Pharo near the beautiful ‘Vieux Port’. On this occasion the new members of the WWC Board of Governors were elected. Next to that it was decided that Mexico will be the host country for the 4th World Water Forum in 2006. After the Board of Governors meeting on Thursday night, it was officially announced that Mr. William Cosgrove is the new WWC President (in succession to Mr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid). More information about the results of the meeting can be found on the WWC website

WATER-L NEWS: WATER ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT LIST

WATER-L consists of interesting editorials, new articles and research updates concerning the implementation of the water-related Millennium Development Goals, the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the further implementation of Agenda 21. It is published and distributed every 2 to 3 weeks by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Would you like to subscribe to WATER-L? Visit IISD's website or contact Diego Noguera.

ADDRESSING SALINITY PROBLEM OF THAR DESERT GROUNDWATER, PAKISTAN

Tahir Rafique has recently applied for YWAT membership. He is from Pakistan and he wrote a report entitled 'Addressing Salinity Problem of Groundwater of Thar Desert, Pakistan'. This paper has been accepted by WEDC (Water Engineering and Development Center), Loughborough University, United Kingdom for Oral Presentation to its 29th International Conference to be held in Abuja, Nigeria from 22-26th September 2003. With his report Tahir also hopes to catch the attention from young people (in Pakistan, but also in other countries with the same problem). His report contains not only an in-depth analysis of the problem, but also some useful suggestions and recommendations for improvement of the situation.

Read the report

FRESHWATER OF YWAT AT SUMMER COURSE AQUA, THE NETHERLANDS

Summer time is always nice to have some field courses and practice in water, like travelling around water ways, and swimming. Summer Course Aqua took place at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Students from Eastern and Western Europe gathered to listen to some lectures, participate in excursions and discuss important water problems during seminars and workshops.

One such workshop was led by YWAT representative Ksenia Shelest from Russia who was invited by the organizer of SCA Ms. Sita Vulto. During this presentation of YWAT as a Youth NGO oriented on water awareness raising and youth-led projects, students got information about our structure, mission and strategies, the 2nd Youth World Water Forum in Japan and other attended conferences, as well as about on-going and proposed projects. Students were invited to join YWAT as their own regional representatives to initiate new projects and to raise awareness among young people in other countries.

After that students were invited to take part in the dynamic workshop about global water problems in different regions of the world. Divided into four groups by the main world regions (Africa, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia and Pacific, Middle East and Mediterranean), they had very active debates and discussion about their regional water problems like water quality and access, water and sanitation, floods and dams, water awareness and management.

What actions can we (young people) suggest for governments and international water organizations, farmers and industry? And what actions could be done by Youth itself? Participants of Summer Course Aqua proposed many fresh ideas and some of them could be implemented in their countries and regions like YWAT youth-led projects. We hope to hear soon about new youth initiatives in more (European) countries from SCA participants!

YWAT REPORT FINISHED

During the past months the YWAT Secretariat worked hard on the completion of the report 'Development of the YWAT movement. Report of the project for the development of the YWAT organization and strategy and for the start of the global YWAT movement'.

Anja de Groene (Professor of Sustainability), Petra de Regt (YWAT Secretariat), Jan-Bart Mandos (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hogeschool Zeeland) and Jim Louisse (YWAT Secretariat)

This report is sent to all the organizations who funded YWAT during the past year. Yesterday it was officially presented to Mr Mandos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hogeschool Zeeland, one of the funding organizations. Mrs. de Groene, Professor of Sustainability at Hogeschool Zeeland and project controller for YWAT, and the YWAT secretariat were present

YWAT PARTICIPATES IN WATER ART PROJECT

On the occasion of the UN year of water 2003, the MonteArte association organized the Water Art Project. YWAT member Mostafa Elkhedr from Egypt participated in the project with two postcards: the first focused on water SHORTAGE, and the second on water FLOODS. The secretary of the YWAT Board, Yoseph Araya from Eritrea, submitted the official YWAT postcards that he designed for YWAT's presence at the 3rd World Water Forum and other future promotional activities.

The collected postcards from all over the world are installed in the Arte Memorial Museum in the Valle di Muggio (Ti, Switzerland). They will also be published in a catalogue.

IMPORTANT ROLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AT STOCKHOLM WATER SYMPOSIUM

From 10th to the 16th of August the 13th Stockholm Water Symposium (World Water Week) took place in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. Every year scientists, decision makers, representatives from different organizations, NGO’s and the civil society meet at the Conference Centre of Stockholm to have discussions and find solutions on current water-related problems.

This year the Symposium was giving special attention to find ways to better cope with climate variability on food production, flood risks and inundations. Young people also had the opportunity to be present: a special seminar for young people, here defined as professionals up to 35 years old, was held on August 10th. YWAT-members Verónica Azuaje Silva and Ksenia Shelest represented our organization at the seminar and gave a short speech on our activities. Read their report

Thami Mpala, who is one of our newly chosen members and also the country coordinator for the Southern African Youth Team under the auspices of GWP, presented a poster and his research paper on ‘water allocation in Southern Africa'.

Furthermore, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize ceremony took place on August 12th. National winners from 26 different countries were present. The overall winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize was Claire Reid (middle) with her job 'Water Wise Reel Gardening for Rural Areas in the Developing World'. She received the Prize from hands of HRH Crown Princess Victoria on behalf of the Stockholm Water Foundation. Claire received a USD $5,000 scholarship and a crystal sculpture. Read more

SPLASH CONFERENCE IN GEEL, BELGIUM

Young Water Representatives are young people between the ages of 15 and 18 years old who have committed themselves to promoting water awareness among their peers and decision makers. They are uncommonly enthusiastic young people who were elected at the SPLASH conference in Geel (Belgium), organised by Green Belgium. The YWR met in Boulion (Belgium) in the weekend of July 14th last in order to sort out their goals for the next two years till the next SPLASH conference.

YWAT was invited to come to this meeting with some people to get to know each other. This may prove very important for YWAT in Europe because the YWR are so involved in water issues that they usually don't want to quit after they become 18. These people already have experience in talking with decision makers and organising activities as well as knowledge of water related issues. In other words, they are ideal potential YWAT members!

As to the YWR meeting… Even apart from the great location and superb weather the meeting can only be classified as a complete success. The YWR proved that they are serious by setting goals, strategies and even discussing their mission! To finish I call upon YWAT to use the enthusiasm and commitment of the YWR and visa versa! Let's make a difference! (Report by Vincent Vulto, coordinator YWAT activities in the Netherlands)

YWAT TREASURER SUCCESSFUL AT 5TH INTERNATIONAL WATER SYMPOSIUM

From June 23rd until June 27th the 5th International Water Symposium took place in Cannes, France. YWAT was represented by Board Member and treasurer Rongchao Li. During the session Rongchao gave a presentation on "YWAT and Young Water Decision Makers". Besides the brief introduction of YWAT, its action plan to make young people all over the world more aware of water-related problems and to involve them in the decision-making process, were presented.

Xavier Cerf, Marjorie Grimaldi (coordinator YWAT Cannes), Emmanuelle Nanci, Marie Perez, Rongchao Li and Marcellin Aubert

Inspired by Rongchao's words, the French youth organization ResH2O declared that they would like to become a local YWAT unit. The organization will keep its identity and, at the same time, make use of YWAT’s network of association with WWC, GWP, etc., as well as get support from central YWAT and the YWAT secretariat that is situated in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. Read more

MOSTAFA ELKHEDR REPRESENTS YWAT in EIAID WORKSHOP CAIRO

During the period 21-26 of June YWAT member Mostafa Elkhedr (the Middle East and North Africa YWAT coordinator) represented YWAT in the "Environmental Impact Assessment of Irrigation and Drainage projects" workshop. The workshop was held in Cairo. Mostafa co-presented a lecture in the second day of the workshop on "Predication and assessment of impacts on the surface water environment". His participation in the working groups as a youth representative was highly welcomed. in the last day of the workshop, Mostafa raised his thoughts to the panel about the role of youth and the possible support of the ministries to them.

NGO YWAT OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED

On May 9th the Young Water Action Team was officially established as a Non-Governmental Organization based in Vlissingen, The Netherlands. On this day YWAT Board members Mr. Juan Carlos Alva Nieto (Chairman), Mr. Yoseph Araya (Secretary) and Ms. Rongchao Li (Treasurer) signed the notarial deed.

Yoseph Araya, notary Mr. Sauer, Rongchao Li and Juan Carlos Alva Nieto

Being an NGO will be much to the advantage of our organization, as, for example, a Non-Governmental Organization is characterized by an independent role in society and by a lack of bureaucracy.

As an NGO, YWAT will continue with the organization of awareness-raising activities in the field of water-related issues all over the world and with the expansion of the YWAT network