Ottawa, Canada, September 23, 2011 – From the retreat of glaciers in the Andes and the Himalayas, to the drought-stricken farms of the Middle East, to the flooded streets of South African cities, Canada’s International Development Research Centre recognizes that climate change threatens communities. As the international community gathers in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, for the XIVth International Water Resources Association (IWRA) World Water Congress, September 25-29, IDRC will be on the ground to showcase how communities around the globe are harnessing science, technology, and indigenous knowledge to manage their access to water more equitably and efficiently.
IDRC staff and IDRC-funded researchers at the IWRA World Water Congress will discuss their work ranging from how wastewater is reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture in India, Ghana, and the Middle East; the promotion of decentralized, renewable energy technologies for water services in in Latin America and Southern and Eastern Africa; mapping and reducing risk of storm surge floods in low-lying communities in South Africa; and how communities in Bolivia are using appropriate technology and adapting traditional farming methods to cope with the shrinking Illimani Glacier.
Highlights of IDRC’s participation at the XIVth World Water Congress:
• Media Briefing
In an English and Spanish briefing on Monday, September 26, Dr. Ajaya Dixit, Institute for Social and Environmental Transition Nepal, Juan Carlos Alurralde, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, and Adalberto Noyola, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, will discuss findings of research conducted in the Andes, the Himalayas, and on wastewater and energy in Latin America. They will also discuss broader implications of the impact of climate change on water. The session is open to journalists only. Registration: [email protected].
• Special Sessions
Don’t miss IDRC’s special sessions, Mountain Glaciers melting and livelihood in the Andes and the Himalayas, and Water and Sanitation: LAC cities adapting to climate change by making better use of their available energy resources.
• Meet the Experts
Stop by the IDRC booth and meet water experts! Talk to Mark Redwood about wastewater use in agriculture; Marco Rondon about the impact of melting glaciers on farming systems in the Andes; Walter Ubal Giordano, a specialist on urban water management; or to the winners of the Research Awards for Young Scholars, who will discuss their innovative projects on climate change and water.
Journalists and the public can join in the conversation through Twitter (#IDRC and #IWRA2011) and Facebook.
For more information, visit www.idrc.ca.
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About IDRC
A key part of Canada’s aid program since 1970, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.
For more information:
In Canada
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
(+1 613) 696-2343
[email protected]
@IDRC_CRDI
In Brazil
Andrea Puppo
(+598) 99168170
[email protected]
@IDRC_LAC
