Considering cultural dimensions of water and groundwater management: the qanats as an example: a colloquium on 9 December 2010

Under the title "A day on water and culture — Considering cultural dimensions of water and groundwater management: the qanats as an example", UNESCO-IHP and the French Water Academy are organizing a colloquium on 9 December 2010 at the UNESCO House, in Room XI. In follow-up to the UNESCO International Conference on Transboundary Aquifers: Challenges and New Directions (ISARM2010), nine international experts and researchers from Algeria, Egypt, France, Iran and The Netherlands will be presenting cultural aspects of the perception, use and management of surface water and groundwater and discuss their most recent findings with the public. The issues range from water fears and enjoyment to the concrete consideration of cultural dimensions of water in local management schemes.

Five presentations will focus on the use and rehabilitation of qanats or foggara. These groundwater collecting and conveying systems are based on techniques, which are more than 4000 years old, but can be of great importance for contemporary communities in arid and semi-arid regions. UNESCO recently completed a successful qanats rehabilitation project in Iraq.

Participation is free, but you are requested to register

The programme of the "Day on water and culture"