Last week, the University of Twente reported the completely unexpected death of Arjen Hoekstra, professor of Water Management. He was also a respected PAC Member of the Amsterdam International Water Week. Hoekstra died on 18 November at the age of 52.
The Future Water Leaders (FWL) play a key role in the organisation of the Amsterdam International Water Week. The Ambassador is the voice of all Future Water Leaders and will make sure the Future Generation of people working in the water sector is heard.
Future Water Leaders (FWL) are independent young water professionals from all over the world who feel the urge to contribute to international events where they can make an impact. All of them are specialized in themes that are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
The next Future Water Leaders Ambassador: Eleanor Treadwell
During the plenary closing, the former Future Water Leaders Ambassador of the Amsterdam International Water Week (AIWW) Chrysoula Papcharalampou, presented her successor. We are very happy and proud to have Eleanor Treadwell on board as the New Youth Ambassador!
Objectives for the next 5 years
Within 5 years time Future Water Leaders strives to become a prominent youth platform where decision makers are actively involved. Through combined networks they’ll be able to implement solutions to reach the SDG’s. The Future Water Leaders collaborate world wide, in such a way that they will be able to hand over their work to generations to come.
Public AIWW event Sunday 3 November
Prior to the Amsterdam International Water Week 2019 programme, Future Water Leaders have organised and coordinated a public event in Amsterdam, on 3 November. The event included a series of exciting activities, meant to engage not just water professionals, but also to the citizens and tourists of Amsterdam. The aim of the event was dual: to raise awareness about water and to show the importance of AIWW as an international water event and conference. Different locations across the city of Amsterdam (mainly in the city centre) hosted the awareness activities.
‘Water Identity’
The concept of ‘Water Identity’ was introduced by the Future Water Leaders Ambassador Chrysoula Papacharalampou, during her keynote speech at the AIWW Summit 2018. The concept combines personal elements (e.g. culture, background, ethnicity etc.) with the professional ambition/interest of the water professionals. The latter is defined through the four themes of Water Security, as defined by the United Nations. During the Summit, Water Identity cards were filled in by the attending professionals. The data gathered will be used in the preparation of a project to communicate across major water events worldwide and to present outcomes during the AIWW 2019.
The aim of the Water Identity is dual:
- by focusing on a combination of personal heritage and professional interest, we are able to understand what shapes us as water professionals, define our common motives and goals and, finally, connect through sharing;
- by using a simple form to communicate who we are, our community can have an understanding of the current status of the field (in terms of available expertise), therefore allow for identifying the missing links for a water secure world.
From a broad perspective, focusing on water heritage and expertise profiles across the world will enable the water professionals community to obtain a broad picture of the ways water may shape a region, a country, a civilisation, everyday practices and customs. This cross-cultural exchange would aim to improve the understanding of water identities as they are shaped across time and space scales. It will also inform discussions for the lessons learnt and transferred across countries and continents, serving as a vehicle towards the goals of: effective collaboration and water security.