Symposium

Water@WUR: Science for Impact

Water is essential for life on planet earth, yet it is a scarce resource. Worldwide changes related to climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanization and food habit changes (protein transition) are all interconnected through water.

Organised by Wageningen University & Research
Date

Tue 17 September 2024 09:00 to 17:00

Venue De Reehorst, Ede

Wageningen University & Research works continuously on understanding these interconnections and developing solutions. Collaboration with other researchers, policy makers, private sector and civil society is crucial in addressing the challenges.

Recently, WUR researchers have developed a vision on Water @WUR. In this vision, the necessity for further collaboration is addressed, as well as the central role of water in many local and global challenges.

With the objective to share and discuss most recent insights, reflect on lessons learned, and think about future pathways, WUR organizes on 17 September 2024 Water@WUR: Science for Impact at the Reehorst in Ede. All our valued partners and other interested professionals working on water are most welcome to join!

There are no costs involved, however, to prevent food waste, in case of no-show your organisation will be billed for the costs.

Programme
09.00 Registration and coffee/tea
09.30 - 09.45 Opening and welcome
09.45 - 11.00 Water and contributions to change
1. Sustainable food systems – Dr Ayodeji Deolu-Ajayi
2. Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems – Dr Ralf Verdonschot
3. Global one health: human and animal health – Dr Adriaan Antonis
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 – 12.30 Water and contributions to change - continued
4. Climate proof futures: water and food – Prof dr Hester Biemans
5. Biobased and circular society – Dr Nora Sutton
6. Sustainable water and land use – Dr Pieter van Oel
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 14.15 Parallel sessions – Lessons learned & the way forward - 1
14.30 – 15.15 Parallel sessions – Lessons learned & the way forward – 2
15.45 – 16.30 Award ceremony Folkert Hellinga MSc Award – in close collaboration with Netwerk Land & Water
16.30 – 17.00 Synthesis and closure, followed by networking and drinks

Parallel sessions will be held in 2 rounds, 4 sessions per round, on the topics:

Parallel sessions
No. Session WUR-coordinator
1a. Water management and the Water Framework Directive Jeroen Veraart
1b. Plastic in rivers Miranda Stibora
1c. Water governance Wieke Pot
1d. Nature inclusive seafood production Tinka Murk
2a. Water technology: what to do with the brine? Raphael Fredon
2b. Drought and managing water in water scarce countries Reynold Chow
2c. Impact for sale? Jeroen Vos
2d. Water management and spatial planning Bregje van der Bolt

For each parallel session, only the coordinator for that session from WUR side has been mentioned, while many others are also involved. All sessions are organised with important contributions from local, regional, national government organisations, companies and knowledge organisations, with whom we work closely together to achieve impact. The contributions of all will allow reflection on what has been achieved so far, and we discuss also what the way forward should look like. Especially after the insightful pitches in the morning, we envisage inspiring discussions in the afternoon!

The day will be continued with the award ceremony of the Folkert Hellinga MSc Award of the Netwerk Land & Water, where 3 nominated MSc theses in the field of land and water (in the widest sense) are pitched by top-level WUR students. The jury, headed by Frank van Goossensen, Arcadis, will hand out the award.

The day is ended with a summary with an interactive panel, followed by closure by Prof Hellegers, WIMEK director, and Anthony Verschoor, KB Food Security Valuing Water. Followed by networking and drinks.