Water, Sewage & Effluent July August 2018 | Page 7

World Water Week Experts, practitioners, decision- makers, business innovators, and young professionals from a range of sectors and countries come to Stockholm to network, exchange ideas, foster new thinking, and develop solutions to the most pressing water- related challenges of today. We believe water is key to our future prosperity, and that together, we can achieve a water-wise world. In 2017, over 3 300 individuals and around 380 convening organisations from 135 countries participated in the event. World Water Week is the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues. It is organised by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). In 2018, World Water Week will address the theme “Water, ecosystems and human development”. 26–31 August 2018 Stockholm Convention Centre, Stockholm, Sweden www.worldwaterweek.org World Water Week 2018, held in Sweden, will address the theme “Water, ecosystems, and human development”. Drawing representation within the water sector both locally and internationally, the biennial conference gathered to find solutions to the ongoing challenges that water- arid countries face within the ever- growing threat of climate change. The central theme of “Breaking barriers, connecting ideas” sought to address past, existing, and future water resource challenges by promoting collaboration, cooperation, and integration within the water sector. With an ongoing exhibition by suppliers within the water sector, running in tandem, were sessions to accommodate every stakeholder within the industry. The conference kicked off Tony Wong, the chief executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC). technology with a blessing by a Khoisan leader, who reminded the delegates that there is no such thing as ‘ownership’ but rather the ‘custodianship’ of water. After conducting a blessing ritual, calling on all four compass points, he urged for people from all of South Africa to come together to collaborate on solutions. WISA 2018 conference – Cape Town, 24 to 28 June Indian environmentalist and political activist Sunita Narain. A Khoisan leader opening the conference with a traditional blessing. Water Sewage & Effluent July/August 2018 5