UNESCO-IHE at the World Water Week

This seminar, that took place on 14th August, brought together people active in education and research in countries with a vulnerable scientific environment (countries with limited funding, insufficient physical infrastructure, limited scientific tradition and insufficient networking and exchange) to share their experience and expertise.

Caroline Figueres, Head of the UNESCO-IHE Urban Water and Sanitation Department, has –together with other speakers– exposed her experiences and presented some case studies for discussion.

UN Millennium Development Goals

Achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is dependent upon many factors: the resources and capacity of countries, their institutions and their people. Much of today’s science does not adequately tackle problems afflicting most of the world’s population.

Moreover, when these specific problems are addressed, ineffective solutions may be prescribed due to lack of knowledge of the local conditions.

Consequently it is vital that more knowledge is developed to address the problems of the developing world, and that scientists in developing countries can increase access to national and international funding and networks to redress the balance.

In order for this to happen, existing scientific capacity for education and research must be strengthened.