“Water education is the key to solve water issues on a thirsty planet”

Professor Szöllösi-Nagy told the audience that consultancy assignments in developing countries were a big eye opener for him. He explains: “It was then, that I realised the obvious: it is water that needs to be fixed, otherwise developing countries and countries in transition will never have the chance to achieve what we now call sustainable development.

This obvious realisation made me join the UN, more precisely UNESCO, where I served for 20 years and nine days as the Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme and the Director of the Division of Water Sciences.

I also realised that without international cooperation and development, assistance in policy setting, education and building local water management and science capacities in the third world, as it was called back in the day, it would not be possible to ever build a fair and equitable world.”
He continues saying that he firmly believes water education is the key to solve water issues on a thirsty planet. “I would like to lead UNESCO-IHE to further improve its capabilities and capacities to help the needy.”

Professor Szöllösi-Nagy addressed the audience saying that in the coming weeks he would like to talk with everyone at the Institute and learn from every single individual what she or he is doing. “I want to understand in further detail how this magnificent organisation works and how its people are shaping it. I want to understand how its scientific departments and support units are working, how they are interacting in their daily work, serving the basic goals of the Institute.”

Continue outstanding work

He continued: “I am looking forward to interacting with all of you, learn your views and listen to your proposals very carefully concerning potential improvements and new strategic research directions. I will continue the outstanding work and reform process that my predecessors Professor Mostertman, Professor Segeren, Professor Van Vierssen and Professor Meganck, started.”

Increase impact

Professor Szöllösi-Nagy went on explaining his vision in more detail in shaping the years to come. “First of all, I would like to further strengthen the position of UNESCO-IHE in water science and education in the international scene with principal regard for the needs of the developing countries. Secondly, I would like to increase the impact of the Institute both in terms of water education and science. This includes, working jointly towards an improved financial base.

Thirdly, I would like to help everyone be successful. If you are successful then I am successful. If any of you fail, I fail. Fourthly, I would like to bring the various networks of professional NGOs, scientific journals, the international scientific community and the global water policy organisations closer to the Institute and finally I would like to strengthen our relation to UNESCO and to the UN at large. I believe we have great opportunities and I would like to see that, for instance, UNESCO-IHE plays a much more important role in designing and implementing IHP.

We currently have good practices, ranging from urban water management to water-related conflict resolution, but there is still room to improve. I will work on bringing the IHE and IHP staff much closer and build closer relations with the rest of the UN system and the Bretton Woods institutions through UN-Water as well as through bilateral cooperation.”

Magnificent assets

Lastly, Professor Szöllösi-Nagy mentioned that UNESCO-IHE alumni are magnificent assets for the Institute. “They can mobilise additional support for the Institute as many of the thousands who graduated here are currently working in lead positions and could raise political support that could hopefully turn into financial support.
The Institute has a dual nature that makes it extremely powerful intellectually. There is a link with the developing world through many networks, including that of alumni bringing a constant flux of exciting issues that require novel handling.”

Stimulating fresh thinking

He continues: “These things are very real: real catchments, real people and real issues to solve. I believe these issues stimulate the finding of entirely new approaches and fresh thinking. The Institute, and UNESCO for that matter, has primary access to the best minds.
If there is something untested, something seemingly too complex to deal with, something we do not know how to handle we will always have access to the best professional advice and people. That is a tremendous asset that we should keep alive by increased networking and expanded relations.”