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.
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.
| 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:
| 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.