IWA Podcast

This is the first episode of the profiling series, introducing you to the members of the International Water Association’s Digital Water Programme’s Steering Committee! The IWA Digital Water Programme is on a mission to provide a platform for water utilities to explore and share experiences on their digital water journey. The Programme has provided roadmaps and guidance that will help water utilities in making the transition to the next generation of smart water systems and fulfil the need for improved resiliency to secure and sustainably manage water resources now and in the future. The Steering Committee conceptualises and produces these and other outputs of the Programme including white papers, books, webinars, and podcast series like this.

Our featured guest is Dr Saba Daneshgar, Postdoctoral Researcher at BIOMATH, Ghent University! The series is hosted by IWA Strategic Programmes Officer, Erin Jordan.

Links mentioned during the episode:

- IWA Digital Water Programme: https://www.iwaconnectplus.org/group/feeds?CommunityKey=a0M4K000004Pd0xUAC

- Saba Daneshgar's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabadaneshgar/

- IWA Modelling and Integrated Assessment LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13877104/

- BIOMATH LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomath-ghent-university/mycompany/

- Conferences:

• Water Resource Recovery Modelling Seminar 2024 - https://wrrmod2024conference.nd.edu/

• Watermatex 2023 - https://watermatex2023.org/

In this instalment, we delve into the realm of youth engagement within the context of water resources prioritization. Hosted by Chelsea Hayward, a member of the International Water Association (IWA) Young Water Professional Steering Committee, our spotlight guest is Claudia Prehn, a dynamic young water professional hailing from Ecuador. Claudia's remarkable journey unfolds as she shares her experience as a speaker, moderator, and rapporteur during the SDG 6 and Water Action Agenda session at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2023 (HLPF). Representing IWA's Young Water Professionals, Claudia's insights offer a unique perspective on the pivotal role of youth in shaping global dialogues on water sustainability. Tune in as we navigate through her involvement, from the forum's unfolding in New York to the profound lessons she's garnered, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between youth engagement and critical global issues. We explore key moments, themes, and pivotal takeaways from the HLPF, underscoring the importance of youthful perspectives in driving change. Additionally, Claudia provides a glimpse into her aspirations post-forum, unveiling her upcoming ventures, including the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition. Join us as we conclude this enlightening episode, appreciating Claudia's impactful journey and the power of youth voices in shaping a more sustainable future.

This is the third and final instalment of the Earth observation to Policy series promoting the webinar “Science to policy: From Earth Observation to legislation”, coming up on Friday 18 November 2022 at 14:00 GMT! This series explores the challenges and success factors of using EO services for evidence-based policy and national legislature in general and specific contexts.

This podcast series is hosted by Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, Steering Committee Member of the IWA Earth Observation for Water Management Community of Practice.

In this episode, Eunice has a conversation with Torsten Bondo, Business Development Manager at DHI. They touch on the progress and development of EO tools and services for application to natural resources management, and how its use can aid in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. During the webinar, Torsten will go further into detail about using EO to determine SDG indicators and Nationally Determined Contributions.

Register for the webinar today: https://iwa-network.org/learn/science-to-policy-from-earth-observation-to-legislation/

This is the second instalment of the Earth observation to Policy series promoting the webinar “Science to policy: From Earth Observation to legislation”, coming up on Friday 18 November 2022 at 14:00 GMT! This series explores the challenges and success factors of using EO services for evidence-based policy and national legislature in general and specific contexts.

This podcast series is hosted by Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, Steering Committee Member of the IWA Earth Observation for Water Management Community of Practice.

In this episode, Eunice talks to Alexandra Bell, Research Associate in the Earth Observation Research Hub at the Institute of Geography and Geology at the University of Würzburg in Germany. They address the motivation behind Alexandra’s research topic, the prominent themes from her online survey on “Spaceborne remote sensing at the science-policy interface”, and how to raise more awareness about EO’s use in policymaking. During the webinar, Alexandra will present on Exploring the challenges and hurdles at the science-policy interface.

Register for the webinar today: https://iwa-network.org/learn/science-to-policy-from-earth-observation-to-legislation/

This podcast is the first instalment of the Earth observation to Policy series promoting the webinar “Science to policy: From Earth Observation to legislation”, coming up on Friday 18th November 2022 at 14:00 London time! This series explores the challenges and success factors of using EO services for evidence-based policy and national legislature in general and specific contexts.

This podcast series is hosted by Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, Steering Committee Member of the IWA Earth Observation for Water Management Community of Practice.

In this episode we listen to Dr Mark Matthews, Founder and CEO of CyanoLakes, a company which helps water utilities, with limited resources, monitor toxin producing cyanobacteria blooms in their source waters. CyanoLakes is on a journey to enhance the protection of public health by providing near real-time information using free and open satellite remote sensing data. During the webinar, Mark will speak about the successes and challenges of the integration of earth observation into South Africa’s national eutrophication monitoring programme.

Register today: https://iwa-network.org/learn/science-to-policy-from-earth-observation-to-legislation/

The speech addresses the struggles faced by youth throughout their academic and professional journey in the water industry. The speech was delivered on 14 September 2022 during the IWA World Water Congress in Copenhagen and received an emotional standing ovation from the audience.

Welcome to the first episode of the podcast series developed in the framework of the European Horizon 2020 Project PrimeWater. PrimeWater's main objective is to generate and disseminate information on the effects of upstream changes on future water quality and quantity, building on advanced Earth-Observation data products, integration with additional data sources and diagnostic modelling tools. IWA has established a partnership with Geo AquaWatch, aiming at enabling water professionals to access and share information on the application of Earth Observation (EO) information and technologies for improved water management.

Discover the highlights of the second week of the congress with our 'The Source' Editor Keith Hayward.

Emma Howard Boyd, keynote speaker and Chair of the Environment Agency in England reflects on the need for climate adaptation and action for better water management.

David Sedlak, from UC Berkeley, set the scene at the opening of IWA's virtual #WorldWaterCongress. In this podcast, he talks about the challenges and opportunities for the water sector, and the sense of urgency of solving the water crisis.