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ater

ducation

and

nstitutional

evelopment

A simple schematization of the process of putting

science into action can be seen as the interaction of

science and society as presented in IHP VIII. Science

deals with the water-related issues of the IHP VIII

themes and produces reports, review papers and

training. Society – which consists of professionals

and researchers dealing with climate-related issues,

policymakers and the general public – promotes the

connection of people that is facilitated by the organ-

ization of workshops, conferences and networking

that use social learning. Such opportunities and

connections are crucial to incubate the trust of citi-

zens and policymakers in water professionals, which

is indispensable if the knowledge and information

provided by these professionals is to be utilized effec-

tively in society.

In such a scheme, the bulk of the process is repre-

sented by the intermediate level: the ‘society- science

interface’, which will function as an interface between

society and science by producing databases, tool-

boxes, guidance documents and knowledge platforms.

These and other similar complex issues are part of the

research agenda of HidroEX as an excellent centre in

water, under the auspices of UNESCO.

City of Waters – a venue for water cooperation

Sharing synergy, common interests and infrastructure with several

water research institutions are some of the objectives of a pioneer

project named City of Waters. In the Brazilian city of Frutal, in

the State of Minas Gerais, universities and research institutions are

establishing a centre for advanced studies in water preservation

and sustainable management of water resources. The project is also

committed to education at all levels and the formation of a new

generation of leaders for sustainable development.

The Water Condominium

One of the main objectives of the eighth phase of the IHP (IHP VIII)

is to put science into action. This is achieved by promoting the

process of transforming information and experience into answering

local and regional needs for tools to adapt integrated water resources

management to global changes, and building competences to meet the

challenges of today’s global water challenges. To this end, it is essen-

tial to establish knowledge platforms where stakeholders, researchers,

local institutions, policymakers and education entities can exchange

and share information, communicate with each other and develop

new ideas in support of policymaking and decision processes. In

this context, a Thematic Condominium on Water joining 16 higher

education and research institutions (so far) around an anchor entity

– the HidroEX International Centre – was created to face the chal-

lenge of bringing together different fields of knowledge and enhance

existing skills on water issues. The partner research and higher educa-

tion institutions are: HidroEX; Minas Gerais Federal University;

Ouro Preto Federal University; the State University of Minas Gerais;

Uberlândia Federal University; Triângulo Mineiro Federal University;

Lavras Federal University; Alfenas Federal University; Viçosa Federal

University; Itajubá Federal University; Cousteau Society; the Pontifical

Catholic University of Minas Gerais; São João Del Rey Federal

University; Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Federal University;

Minas Gerais Technological Center Foundation; Brazilian National

Water Agency and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.

The Water Condominium provides offices, laboratories, library and

support services to scientists sharing a research interest in a common

theme of importance. It involves 10 thematic cores – water govern-

ance and management; hydrogeology; ecohydrology; environmental

hydrology; water and agriculture; water and energy; environmental

technologies; geomatics; water and education; and water history

and culture. The idea is to offer a synergistic environment in which

scientists can exchange ideas and field test such concepts. Scientists

are resident in Brazil for indeterminate periods and share the results

of their research on common themes with colleague scientists from

around the world. The project’s outputs aim to expand a holistic

approach to water governance and management by balancing compet-

ing demands from diverse interests such as agricultural, industrial,

domestic and environmental stakeholders within the context of

climate change, population growth and other realities confronting

human progress. The goal is to help member states adapt new strate-

gies that will make both their ecosystems and socioeconomic systems

more resilient to such changes and offer decision makers clear indica-

tions of the implications of decision they are confronting.

Communication between scientists and stakeholders is an impor-

tant step towards the development of community understanding

and ownership of risk. Scientists have a responsibility to educate the

community they serve regarding the risks facing that community,

and possible actions the community can take to reduce those risks.

Water quality/scarcity

Water related disasters

Human settlements

Groundwater

Ecohydrology

Reports

Papers

Training

Synthesis of experiences

Science

Databases

Toolboxes

Guidance documents

Knowledge platforms

Society-Science interface

Workshops

Conferencing

Networking

Mobile phones

Radio

Professionals

Researchers

Policymakers

General public

Connecting people

Society

The interaction of science and society as presented

in IHP VIII

Source: HidroEX International Centre