Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector
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HTML Document EMWIS Flash N°36, June 2006

Released 08/12/2006
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EMWIS Flash - June 2006
Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector
EMWIS is a program of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
For further information:
www.emwis.org
Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- with the support of the E.C.
It is available in English, French & Arabic.

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In this issue N°36
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HEADLINE

    1. New International EMWIS website: http://www.emwis.org 

IN BRIEF

    2. Regional workshop on "National water information systems & EMWIS" and EMWIS coordination seminar in Algeria
    3. The 5th World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul (Turkey) in March 2009
    4. Latest EU funded projects (FP6): Global Change and Ecosystems
    5. Financing Water and Sanitation in Africa
    6. Parliament tightens EU groundwater pollution rules & Mixed signals on Groundwater Protection
    7. Future ISO standards for the evaluation of water and sanitation services
    8. MEDSTAT-Environment II Final Forum
    9. France: The new water law is adopted by the national assembly
  10. Algeria: Nuclear power for Water & Energy sector
  11. Romania: €25 million to improve Bucharest environment
  12. Hungary: Central region turning into desert
  13. A transboundary forecasting system for the Mur River
  14. A method to analyse the performance of water and sanitation services
  15. Science for Environment Policy: Water saving in households
  16. Science for Environment Policy: Fresh groundwater sources
  17. Groundwater needs stronger protection from nitrates, says NGO
  18. Linking Water Supply and Water Resource Management at Community Level
  19. Extending the reach of disaster relief from fire to flood
  20. Better coordination will reduce the risk of floods
  21. Irrigation Equipment Supply Database
  22. Edgb2b: Environmental database
  23. IWRM Science Communication for Impact
NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS   
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS

CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP

CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1. EMWIS Technical Unit announces the launch of its new multilingual international web portal (in English, French and Arabic). This new site which has an improved design and navigation scheme, allows a flexible integration of content and heterogeneous applications (using Internet standards such as xml or web services). It is based on the open source content management system developed for and used by the European Environment Agency for most of its websites applications. You will find the usual EMWIS information on legislation, who does what, monthly news flash, etc., plus new sections such as a multilingual water thesaurus and glossary, a database of water projects, an outline of the main Mediterranean initiatives related to water, etc. EMWIS and its partners are progressively loading more material onto the new website to provide essential water information at both international and national levels. See all that at the new website: www.emwis.org .

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IN BRIEF
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2. EMWIS, its Algerian NFP (ABH-CSM) and the Algerian Ministry of Water Resources are organising Regional workshop on "National water information systems -NWIS- & EMWIS" to be held in Algiers the days 26 and 27 June 2006. This workshop mainly aims to promote the exchange of experiences between the countries on the implementation of NWIS. The workshop will include plenary sessions with presentations of experiences and 3 working group sessions focusing on: Organizational/legislative aspects; Access to data; and Enhancement/added value of final product.  The results of the NWIS feasibility studies carried out in 2005 in 10 Mediterranean Partner countries, the output from the 4th World Water Forum on shared water information system and the proposal of Mediterranean mechanism of observation on water and sanitation will provide major inputs for the workshop. After this event, EMWIS will organise its 6th Coordination Committee seminar the 27 afternoon and 28 June in Algiers (only for EMWIS National Focal Points). See EMWIS website for details about both events.

3. The 5th World Water Forum will be held definitively in Istanbul (Turkey) in March 2009, according to the final edition of the 4th World Water Forum's Newsletter (number 18). The 4th World Water Forum took place two months ago and the Forum Secretariat is currently working on the final report, to be presented soon. To download the final Newsletter, consult the 4th World Water Forum's website.

4. The EC has published on 24th May the list of the latest EU funded projects under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6): Global Change and Ecosystems. These projects have been retained for negotiation. Final data might be different. Check Water cycle and Soil related aspects Abstracts of selected projects: "(Calls Global-1 and 2) & Scientific Support to Policies (Calls SSP-1 and SSP-2)" and "(Calls Global-3 and Global-4)".

5. A Consultative workshop on Financing and Cost Recovery in the African Water Sector organized in Tunis on 13-15 June 2006 by the African Development Bank (AfDB), brought together representatives of regional member countries, multilateral development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders such as Private sector and civil society organizations to examine Financial Instruments and Cooperation with development stakeholders with a view to supporting the Water Sector in Africa. Consult the African Development Bank Website to get more information and access the background documents and presentations of the workshop (See AfDB press release).

6. The European Parliament has voted to beef up EU standards to limit the levels of nitrates and pesticides in groundwater, which supply Europeans with some two-thirds of drinking water. The European Parliament on 13 June backed proposals to tighten a 1980's directive that seeks to prevent groundwater from pollution by agricultural residues such as pesticides and other harmful chemicals. The text will now return to the EU Council of Ministers for approval in second reading. See EurActiv website for further information. On the other hand, The European Parliament voted also on changes to an EU Groundwater Directive, rejecting the Council's position which contains few binding proposals, making this law little more than a statement of intent. According to EEB (the European Environmental Bureau) and RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), these loopholes sacrifice the safety and security of two-thirds of the EU's drinking water supplies to damaging agricultural practices and polluting industries. See EEB website for full details.

7. The series of ISO standards, to appear in 2007, should be used as tool to evaluate the organizations engaged in the service activities related to water (food and sanitation). Conceived from a point of view of maximum flexibility, these standards are applicable in the industrialized countries as in the developing countries, in the large megalopolis as in the small cities, and that the organization or the operator in charge of the management of water is a public utility or a private company. See ISO website for full details.

8. The second phase of the MEDSTAT-Environment project (MED-Env II) was implemented within the regional MEDA statistics cooperation programme (MEDSTAT) and covered the period 2003-2006. Among others, it has put the emphasis on three specific topics: air pollutant emission, biodiversity and the calculation of environmental indicators for sustainable development. During the final forum, which was opened by the Director of the National Statistical Office in Jordan last 13-14th June, the national statistical publications produced by the Mediterranean National Statistics Institutes as well as the 2005 regional compendium on environmental statistics in the Mediterranean countries were presented. Participants discussed the project’s main results as well as the integration of environmental statistics in the new MEDSTAT II programme which was launched in January 2006. The objective of MEDSTAT II is to improve the quality and supply of services and statistical data that are required within the framework of the Association Agreements with the Mediterranean Partners. It also aims to provide users with updated, reliable and relevant statistical data necessary for political decision-making and to ensure good governance. See Blue Plan website for further information.

9. The French national assembly adopted, last 30 May, the new law on water and aquatic environments, which aims at getting a good ecological state of water, as required in the EU WFD (European Water Framework Directive). This project of law must still continue its shuttle with the Senate for a second reading envisaged at the end of June. See the full text of this law at the website of the French National Assembly. (Only in French)

10. Algeria will adopt a law on the nuclear power: The atom in all transparency. The decision to start again the nuclear power and to work out a law to organize the activity introduces a new added value for the water and energy sectors in Algeria. For the sector of water, the nuclear power will make it possible to de-salt sea water as well as brackish water apart from the coastal areas. See EL WATAN for full details. (Only in French)

11. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €25 million for the construction of the first phase for Bucharest's new wastewater treatment plant. It is the first installation of its kind in the Romanian Capital and will contribute to the improvement of the water quality of the Dambovita River and subsequently of the Danube.  The project will support the further implementation of EU environmental standards in Romania, as the plant will operate in full compliance with respective EU Directives. The plant – once both phases completed - will be one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Europe covering almost 2 million citizens of Bucharest whose untreated effluents represent one of the main sources of water pollution of the Danube river basin. See EC website for more details.

12. A large region of central Hungary is turning into desert as a result of irrational planning and climate change, threatening the livelihood of 300,000 people, according to an expert advising government. Hungary's fertile plains have seen record floods this year, yet the sandy but arable soil on a tenth of Hungary's land between the rivers Danube and Tisza is getting alarmingly dry, according to Janos Nacsa, of Szent Istvan University in Godollo, 30 km east of Budapest. See SAHRA Water News for further information.

13. A state-of-the-art transboundary real-time flood forecasting system for the Mur River has now successfully been implemented. Since February 2006 the forecasting system has been tested and is now in real time operation. The forecasting system is implemented within MIKE FLOOD WATCH (Decision support system for real-time flow forecasting) framework and runs automatically from a central location in Graz, Austria where it issues new forecasts of the river status each hour for the next 2 days. The challenge of the project has been to establish one common flood forecasting system working for all countries of the Mur watershed (Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia), where exchange of real-time information, modelling (based on MIKE11) and dissemination can be performed rapidly and accurately through a robust system. The Mur Forecasting System has been supported from the EU INTERREG IIIB Cadses program. For further information, contact Gregers Jørgensen or visit DHI group. See here a detailed account of the Mur forecasting system.

14. A report published by the BIPE (France), proposes a method to analyse the performance of water and sanitation services according to sustainable development principles. This innovating step was carried out together with the whole of the key actors in the water and sustainable development sector. In the light of this approach, the situation of eight capitals of the European Union was analyzed: Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, London, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Stockholm. In complement of this study, a discussion was carried out on the definition of the good economic indicator of the service management. Download the report from the BIPE website. (Only in French)

15. British researchers have recently analysed the different behavioural attitudes towards water saving in households in the United Kingdom. The authors have identified four different types of individuals according to their behavioural characteristics. They conclude that it is necessary to recognise behavioural complexity in order to ensure that policies and initiatives for water conservation are effective. See EC DG Environment newsletter for full details.

16. Japanese researchers have analysed the effects of climate and land use changes on underground freshwater resources in coastal areas, and estimated the groundwater loss due to saltwater intrusion. The results suggest that in arid areas, the fresh groundwater loss increases as the percentage of forest cover increases. Deforestation may increase the recharge of existing fresh groundwater sources in these arid areas. See EC DG Environment newsletter for full details.

17. EU law on groundwater pollution must be strengthened to protect Europeans from nitrate pollution caused by intensive animal farming, according to an an environmental group. The warning comes ahead of discussions of the EU Groundwater Directive in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg on 12 June. In its current form, the directive puts a 50mg limit on nitrates per litre, and obliges EU member states to monitor and counter pollution of groundwater by toxic chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals and pharmaceutical residues. Friends of the Earth criticised the directive for its numerous exceptions that they say allow nitrates to penetrate into drinking water supplies. The NGO urged MEPs to vote against changes that would weaken the directive, which it said is already "inadequate" because of the loopholes included in it. See Edie News Centre website for full details.

18. Local communities in rural areas are becoming more involved in the management of water resources, besides the sole management of their water supply. Community management of water resources involves not only water resources protection and adequate waste water and solid waste disposal, but also engaging in a dialogue between water users within a community or between neighbouring communities in order to avoid wastage and overexploitation of the resource. In an urban setting the water resource management issue is not as clear as in rural areas, but it still can be approached at the user level through the perception and usage that people have of water or water culture. More awareness and consciousness-raising on the value of water can have an impact on water resource use. On the utility side, leakage control is a vital issue (sometimes, up to 40-50 percent water is lost). When dealing with community management of water supply, water resources management needs to be tackled as well. Contact Francois Brikke or see WSP (Water and Sanitation Program) newsletter for further information.

19. Different disasters require different responses and, in turn, multiple technological solutions, which is a costly duplication of resources. REMSAT II, a project supported by ESA’s Telecommunications Department, has, however, successfully extended its forest fire fighting capabilities to the domain of flood relief, saving both resources and lives. See ESA website for full details.

20. Since almost 80 per cent of European rivers flow across borders and coastlines are shared, MEPs are calling on EU countries to coordinate flood risk assessment and management. Legislation amended on 13 June, says the focus should be on risk rather than floods and urges Member States to draw up flood risk maps. While emphasising the environmental impact of floods, the law leaves it up to Member States to develop specific measures for special areas. See the website of the European Parliament for further information.

21. The Water Resources, Development and Management Service of FAO and the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) have recently joined forces for the upgrading of the Irrigation Equipment Supply (IES) database. This tool seeks to establish an up-to-date list of Suppliers and Manufacturers providing specific irrigation equipment worldwide. The new version of the database is primarily Supplier/Manufacturer-driven in the sense that information contained in the database is inserted and maintained exclusively by the Suppliers/Manufacturers of irrigation equipment. Visit FAO website to see the new Irrigation Equipment Supply (IES) database.

22. Edgb2b is an environmental database, with more than 40.000 products of more than 1500 companies in several sectors, mainly: the water sector (treatment, wastewater, etc). See the EDGB2B website for further information. (Only in French)

23. The EU Water Initiative organises a workshop on IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management) Science Communication for Impact in Brussels on 20-22nd June 2006. The main idea of this workshop is studying in an interactive mode on how researchers can best engage constructively with the mindsets of water users, water managers, practitioners and the water policy community. The purpose of the Workshop `IWRM Science Communication for Impact` is to: Contextualize today’s IWRM research in relation to the challenges of water policy reform and practice; and Acquire communication skills in relation to different target groups and communication means. See EC website for further details.

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NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
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24 - Internship: Research and analysis of financing activities in the water sector (Deadline to apply: July 15, 2006). The intern will work under the supervision of the programme coordinator on “Financing water for All”, a programme dedicated to financial issues in the water sector. See the World Water Council announcement for further information.

25 - Vacancy notice: coordinator of the UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). The coordinator of the UN World Water Assessment Programme will be in charge of the management of the activities of the United Nations system-wide Programme, particularly the production of the WWDR. The Coordinator will manage the development of overall strategies and work plans for WWAP, including the coordination of all activities of UN partner organizations and external partners, through appropriate and effective channels, leading to the timely production of the periodic WWDRs. Applications should reach UNESCO before 1 August 2006. See the vacancy notice or UNESCO website for further details.

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PUBLICATIONS
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26. New publication: "EU-INCO Water Research from FP4 to FP6 (1994-2006): A Critical Review". This report was prepared between July 2005 and January 2006 by a panel of independent experts. The panel was composed of five experts from partner countries/regions and five Europeans. The panel met three times in Brussels to go through the substantive documentation about the 67 projects which formed the sample from more than 10 years of European investment into international S&T cooperation related to integrated water resources management. Projects spanned three research framework programmes (FP4 -1994- 1998; FP5 – 1998-2002; FP6 – 2002-2006). The panel developed a scoring methodology to extract structured answers from the heterogeneous material, while taking into account that understanding integrated water resources management and other core concepts and subsequent requirements in framework programmes had evolved in the period under examination. Download this report.

27. A revised version of the report: "Priority issues in the Mediterranean environment" is available now at the website of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, which scans existing and emerging pollution issues, draws a picture at the regional level but also provides an environmental profile for each of the Mediterranean countries. Download it.

28. Several new useful links has been added at the page of "Water for life" of the EC.

29. IWA Publishing, the wholly owned subsidiary of the International Water Association (IWA) provides information services on all aspects of water, wastewater and related environmental fields. The publishing programme includes Water21 (the IWA membership magazine) and a broad range of journals, books, research reports, manuals of best practice, and online services.

30. Benefits of multiple-use approaches to meeting the water needs of poor communities, published recently by IWMI, GWP and IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. See IWMI website for further information.

31. New research report on "the competition for water between cities and irrigation" has been published. This report would be of interest to those interested in sectoral water allocation and conflicts. This report revisits this commonly-accepted wisdom and examines the nature of urban water scarcity, the relative importance of both physical and economic scarcity, and how cities secure funds for the development of their water infrastructure (or fail to do so). Visit IWRM website to download it and other reports too.

32. "Historical Transformations of the Lower Jordan River Basin: Changes in Water Use and Projections (1950 – 2025)", is the title of a recent report published by: Courcier, R., J.P. Venot and François Molle. The Lower Jordan river basin (LJRB) includes 83 percent of the total population of Jordan, and most of the main industries in the country, 80 percent of irrigated agriculture, and receives 80 percent of the national water resources. This report presents a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the history of water resources mobilization and uses within the LJRB. Visit IWRM website to download it and other reports too.

33. A new report: "Meta-Analysis to Assess Impact of Watershed Program and People's Participation" has been published recently. The study assessed the performance of watershed programs by employing meta analysis. Visit IWRM website to download it and other reports too.

34. "New UKWIR report: Sustainability of water efficiency measures" is the title of a recent publication, that contains a best practice framework, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, for determining the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of water efficiency measures. Data were collated for 44 water efficiency projects. A web-based tool was developed to allow users to interrogate the database, update existing projects and add new projects. Recommendations are made regarding the specific focus for future water efficiency research. See UKWIR website for full information.

35. The UN Environment Report: "Global Deserts Outlook" is the first thematic report in the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) series of environmental assessments by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Better management of water supplies will be the key challenge for the future of deserts but could, if successful, be a beacon of hope and good practice for other water-short parts of the globe. These are among the findings of UNEP's Global Deserts Outlook launched to mark World Environment Day on 5 June. See UNEP website for further information.

36. "Integrated transboundary water management in theory and practice; new experiences from the new EU eastern borders" by Geoffrey D Gooch & Per Stalnacke, is a new book that examine and analyse the problems inherent in integrated water management in transboundary conditions. Integrated Transboundary Water Management in Theory and Practice will provide new knowledge and policy recommendations based on the experiences and results of a major 3-year interdisciplinary research project (MANTRA-East). See IWA publishing for further details.

37. "Protecting groundwater for health; managing the quality of drinking-water sources" by O. Schmoll, G Howard, J Chilton & I Chorus, is a new publication, that addresses protecting drinking-water resources. For health professionals, it thus is a tool for access to environmental information needed for such a process, and for professionals from other sectors, it gives a point of entry for understanding health aspects of groundwater management. See IWA publishing for further information.

38. "Groundwater in International Law: Compilation of Treaties and other Legal Instruments" by Stefano Burchi and Kerstin Mechlem, (FAO/UNESCO 2005), brings together binding and non-binding international law instruments that, in varying degrees and from different angles, deal with groundwater. Its aim is to report developments in international law and to contribute to detecting law in-the-making in this important field.

39. "From Potential Conflict to Co-operation Potential (PCCP) International Water Law Publications" is a new publication (studies) of the UNESCO’s PCCP that presents the role of law and institutions in the transition from potential conflict to co-operation potential, and the tools available for the protection of water resources and related facilities in times of armed conflicts. It identifies the assets of the international legal system as well as its gaps. These legal studies are designed to be accessible to water managers with no professional legal background. Download these studies: ‘The protection of water facilities during armed conflicts’, ‘The role of law in the transition from PC to CP’, and ‘Institutions for water related management’ (pdf).

40. A new book: "In Time for the Flood", developed by the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, for local decision makers dealing with flash floods has been published. The first part brings information on the operational principles of warning systems. The second part deals with the most important data and information which needs to be obtained or prepared before one begins to plan the building of a local flood warning system. The third part is a compendium of knowledge concerning the elements of the system. The last part focuses on cooperation. See GWP website for further information.

41. "Benchmark Papers in Hydrology series" is a new Series from IAHS that collects together, by theme, the papers that provided the scientific foundations for hydrology in the 20th Century. The Series Editor is Jeff McDonnell.

42. 'Peak to Peak' is an opportunity to keep you up-to-date with the latest news, activities and events related to the Mountain Partnership. This monthly newsletter, prepared by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, is sent by e-mail to all members and other interested partners and can be read on-line. One of the events announced in this newsletter' last issue is: the 2nd International Congress “‘Water in Mountains’, Integrated Management of High Watersheds.” (Megève, France, 20-22 September 2006).

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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43. The Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards are the leading event in England and Wales for recognizing the efforts of business and industry to conserve water. Winning a Water Efficiency Award shows your commitment to protecting the environment and preserving natural heritage. If you know of an outstanding example of water efficiency in your organization, take the opportunity of promoting it to a national audience by entering the Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards 2007. Deadline for submission: 31 August 2006. Organizer: The Environment Agency, United Kingdom. To register your interest in the 2007 Awards email Paula Wood, or see UK Environment Agency website for full details.

44. The European award "Our Waters" under the patronage of EU-Environment Commissioner Stravos Dimas was launched. This interesting award seeks for creative and feasible ideas with benefit for our waters. With regard to an EEC directive (water framework directive) the entire Europe is asked to achieve or to keep the good status of all waters. This award aims to learn from the creativity of others. Every water user can participate. The best ideas will be given an award at the European Parliament in summer/autumn 2007. Further information is available at the website of "our waters".

45. In the Framework of "FP6, Priority 1.1.6.3: Global Change and Ecosystems & EC" and in order to promote twinning between basins Organisations to reinforce practices of Integrated Water Resource Management; new rules have been established, in order to ease the coming of new twining proposals. From now on, requests will be accepted and considered on a continuous way. To propose a twinning project, go on Twinbasin website.

46. The 2nd Call for Proposals of the ACP-EU Water Facility (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) was launched by the EC on the 31st march 2006, for an amount of €178 M. There will be only one phase of evaluation for the 2nd Call. For additional information, consult Water Facility website. Documents related to the call for tender are available on line. 30 June 2006: Deadline for submission of proposals at 16.00 (Brussels Time), 30 November 2006: Evaluation period, December 2006: Award.

47. AMCOW competition involves youth to create water messages: African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) are calling upon young people to participate in a competition to formulate messages on water issues. The deadline for submissions should not be later than 31 July 2006 For more information, contact: AMCOW.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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48. On 12th and 13th October 2006, the Cycleau partnership will hold its final international conference in Quimper (Brittany), France. This event will take place alongside the annual Finistere Water Conference and expects to attract over 300 delegates from all over Europe. The aim of the event is to showcase the results of the Cycleau INTERREG project and its methodology for effective catchment management. It also seeks to share the lessons learnt about co-ordinating transnational and cross-border partnerships in light of the future territorial co-operation programme 2007-2013. See EMWIS news section for full details.

49. The International conference on WAter POLLution in natural POrus media at different scales, Assessment of fate, impact and indicators "WAPO2", has published its first announcement. This event will be held in Barcelona (Spain) on the 11st-13rd April 2007. Its main objective pretends to be a forum to scientist, Ph. D students, authorities and managers concerned with the problem of grounwater contamination in porous media. See EMWIS news section for full details.

50. Legal Framework of Water Resource Management two-week seminar will be held in Rome (Italy) next 11-22 September 2005. This seminar will analyze key elements of the access, management and integrated development of water resources. Topics will include the components of an efficient legal framework for water management, and the necessity of strong and accountable water management institutions at both the national and local levels. The course will draw upon the direct experience of water experts from several jurisdictions and nationalities, in order to provide participants with the practical skills training essential for working in this area. Application Deadline: July 7th, 2006. See EMWIS news section for further information.

51. An international Euromediterranean workshop on GIS and Remote Sensing: "Aid to making decision tools in the Mediterranean Countries" will be held in Meknes (Morocco) next 8th-10th November 2006. This workshop organised by University Moulay Ismail of Meknes in collaboration with CNRS-EHESS (University of Paris IV Sorbonne) announced a call for papers to be due on July 15th. See EMWIS news section for further information.

52. The Workshop on capacity building for sustainable development to be held in Trieste (Italy) on 10-13th October 2006, has announced a call for papers to be due on 15th July 2006. This event is organised by the 3rd World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO), which has entered into partnership with the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), the United Nations Development Programme special unit for South-South Cooperation (UNDP-SSC) and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies to seek out and document examples that illustrate how capacity has been built with the result that sustainable development has been enhanced and steps have been taken to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. See EMWIS website for further information.

53. The International conference: "Water Saving in Mediterranean Agriculture & Future Research Needs" to be held in Bari (Italy) on 14-17th February 2007, announced a call for papers to be due on 31st July 2006. The Conference aims to bring together all relevant local and regional key-actors and scientists in order to discuss and identify the priorities in research to support national and regional strategies on water saving in the Mediterranean region. See CIHEAM-IAMB website for full details.

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54. The International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM) and the State Hydraulic Works (DSI), Turkey announced a 12-day International Capacity Building on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM). The course will be held at the International Agro Hydrology Institute Menemen, near the picturesque city of Izmir, Turkey from June 18-29, 2006. The course is aimed at faculty of training institutes or consultants who are involved in WUA capacity-building, WUA managers, policy makers, and NGOs or Government/Irrigation Agency staff who work with WUAs. The language of the course will be English. More specific information including the registration form can be viewed at INPIM website.

55. Intensive Courses in Desalination: Thermal processes and economics, management and economics, will be held in L'Aquila, Italy on July 26-27 of 2006. For further information see EMWIS news section.

56. A Training on: Water, the solidarity of people and territories is organised by Green Cross and Rennes Summer University on 28-30 September 2006 in Britanny (France). The main objective is to mobilize the decision-makers and the citizens to participate in the international cooperation efforts to provide clean water and sanitation to the people of developing countries by allocating 1% of the resources from their water and sanitation services. Contact Catherine Balbeurcousin (GCI) or see EMWIS news section for full details.

57. New IWRM and Transboundary Course Offerings from SIWI: In late 2006 and early 2007, SIWI is offering three new capacity building courses which focus on national and transboundary water management issues. The courses, conducted together with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Ramboll Natura AB, provide on-the-ground training geared to decision makers, planners, specialists and managers at different types of levels and organisations. The courses include: Integrated Transboundary Water Resources Management for the MENA Region (Application Deadline: July 21, 2006); and “Integrated Transboundary Water Resources Management for the MENA Region” takes place in Jordan, November 5-16, 2006, and in Sweden, February 19-23, 2007. For more information about each of these courses, including application forms, visit SIWI website.

58. Demand from the water sector for skilled science and engineering graduates with water and wastewater treatment knowledge and experience is very strong. Cranfield University (UK) offers Studentships in water and wastewater treatment for persons interested in a career as a process scientist, engineer or technology manager in the water sector then consider applying for a place on one of the Masters courses of Cranfield University:  MTech Advanced Professional Masters in Water Processes, MSc Water and Wastewater Engineering, and MSc Water and Wastewater Technology. See the website of Cranfield University for more information.

59. The College of Graduate Studies at the Arabian Gulf University offers a new Post-Graduate Diploma and Master Degrees in: “Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing”. The Post-Graduate Diploma and Master degrees are designed in response to the needs of the growing development in the GCC countries and also due to the request for specialists and experts in the fields of new technologies of GIS and RS and their various operational applications, in order to serve governmental departments, commercial and industrial organizations, universities and educational institutions. See the Brochure and the letter of the course. For further information, contact Prof. Mohamed Ait Belaid.

60. An International Short Course in Decentralized Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) will be held in Delft (The Netherlands) on 10-28th July 2006. This course is organised by the Department of Municipal Infrastructure (MUI) of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. The aim of this course is to provide theoretical background and practical expertise for low-cost decentralized water supply and sanitation options specifically suitable for small towns, peri-urban areas and urban slums, and also for small island communities, tourist resorts and similar sensitive environments. See UNESCO-IHE website for further information.

61. A virtual course on Remote Sensing, funded by the EU Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) is available on line at Planetek website. The course has been implemented by the University of Venice (IUAV) - Geographical Information System Department and Planetek Italia, an Italian company operating in the field of information sciences applied to land management. The aim of the course is to introduce the role of space science and technology in monitoring Earth's surface and atmosphere. The training module is organised into 6 chapters dealing with: the History of Remote Sensing, the Basic Techniques, Remote Sensing System Analysis, the Main missions, Image Processing and Interpretation and Remote Sensing Applications. Didactic satellite images and a remote sensing glossary are available. The NASA Remote Sensing Tutorial Online Handbook has been used as main information source for the development of the training material. Click here to subscribe or here for a preview the first three chapters of the course.

62. A Training on Economic Evaluation of the Environment has been organised in Amman (Jordan) from 23rd to 27th July 2006, under the patronage of H.R.H Princess Sumaya Bint El-Hassan and in coordination with the Jordanian Ministry of Environment. This training is organised by Ecosys, Sustainable Business Association (SBA) and the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) in the framework of the MESO-comparative programme 2005-2008 for Maghreb – Mashreq countries, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation. The training course is open to participants from Middle East, Maghreb, Europe and Gulf countries. To get the best out of this 1-week training the organisers limited the number of participants to 30 motivated persons. Candidates are welcome to submit their registration form (last page of the brochure) together with a motivation letter and CV by email or Fax before 22 June 2006 to: Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Dr. Mahmoud Owaydah, Director of Administrative Affairs, Tel: +962 6 515 47 34, Fax: +962 6 534 72 95. Participants need to have a University degree or equivalent. They have to be professionally active in their respective countries with a minimum of 5 years experience. The course fee is 200 US$ per participant. Non-Jordanians are exempted from the registration fees but should cover their transportation and accommodation in Amman. The organisers have preferential rate in several hotels in Amman. For any additional information concerning this training, you may download the brochure, and see MESO programme website for any other Information.

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EVENTS
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2006-06-20/23 - European Groundwater Conference 2006, Vienna, Austria.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-20/23 - International Workshop on Governance and the Global Water System, Bonn, Germany.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-21/23 - 1st Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies -CISTI 2006-, Esposende, Portugal.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-23 - Dams in the current context: Consequences of climate change, surroundings and dam rehabilitation, Interlaken, Switzerland.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-25/07-01 -  EAERE-FEEM-VIU Summer School - Computable General Equilibrium Modelling in Environmental and Resource Economics, Venice, Italy.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-25/28 -Thermal Desalination Technologies, Algiers, Algeria.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-26/07-02 - 3rd Workshop and Short Intensive course on Wetland Water Management, Biebrza, Poland.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-26/27 - French-Libyan Workshop: Urban and industrial environment, Tripoli, Libya.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-26/28 - Regional workshop on National water information systems & EMWIS + 6th Coordination seminar of the EMWIS National Focal Points, Algiers, Algeria.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-26/30 - 8th Cannes Water Symposium2006, Cannes, France.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-28 - ISIIMM International thematic seminar: Mountain Community Irrigation, Azilal, Morocco.
For more information, click here.

2006-06-28 - 2nd UNEP FI Expert Workshop on Risk Management Guidelines, Geneva, Switzerland.
For more information, click here.

2006-07-10/13 - 1st International Symposium on Environment Identities and Mediterranean Area, Corte-Ajaccio, France.
For more information, click here.

2006-07-10/28 - International Short Course in Decentralized Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS), Delft, The Netherlands.
For more information, click here.

2006-07-11/13 - 2006 IASME/WSEAS International Conference on Energy, Environment, Ecosystems & Sustainable Development (EEESD'06), Athens, Greece.
For more information, click here.

2006-07-26/27 - Intensive Courses in Desalination, L'Aquila, Italy.
For more information, click here.

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