ICHARM -- The International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management ICHARM

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59th and 60th ICHARM R&D seminar held

News

ICHARM R&D Seminars are held as an opportunity for researchers to keep up with the latest knowledge and information by inviting domestic and international experts in the field of hydrology and water-related disasters.

The 59th and 60th ICHARM R&D seminars were held on February 15, 2018, by inviting Dr. Blanca Elena Jiménez-Cisneros and Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy, who attended the 3rd ICHARM Governing Board Meeting on the previous day. Dr. Jiménez-Cisneros is the secretary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the director of the Division of Water Sciences, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, and Prof. Szöllösi-Nagy is the chairperson of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Intergovernmental Council and the professor of Sustainable Water Management of National University of Public Service (NUPS).

Dr. Jiménez-Cisneros delivered a lecture, "UNESCO-IHP: International Hydrological Programme." IHP is the only intergovernmental programme of the UN system devoted to water research, water resources management, and education and capacity building. Since its inception in 1975, IHP has evolved from an internationally coordinated hydrological research programme into an encompassing, holistic programme to facilitate education and capacity building and enhance water resources management and governance (quoted from IHP web site). She explained six themes in the eighth phase of IHP (IHP-VIII, 2014-2021), the "UNESCO Water Family," which includes ICHARM and supports IHP activities, and the relationship between SDGs and IHP.

Prof. Szöllösi-Nagy delivered a lecture, "The State of Global Water Resources and Nine Risk(y) Challenges for ICHARM to Consider." Showing various statistics and graphs, he explained "Looming Water Crises", which are caused by many reasons, such as climate change, increasing water demand above the population growth rate, etc., and emphasized nine challenges that should be addressed to solve the situation. He concluded his lecture by sharing a famous quote by John. F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the USA: "Anybody who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel Prizes – one for peace and one for science."

ICHARM will continue holding R&D seminars at various occasions to further strengthen expertise of researchers inside and outside ICHARM.

< Related information >
- International Hydrological Programme (IHP): https://en.unesco.org/themes/water-security/hydrology
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/


Dr. Blanca Elena Jiménez-Cisneros
Dr. Blanca Elena Jiménez-Cisneros
Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy
Prof. András Szöllösi-Nagy
 
Group photo with audience
Group photo with audience
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