2016 World Water Week programme

Welcome to Stockholm!
Photo: Thomas Henrikson
It is that time of year again. At SIWI, we
have spent over a year planning, and a busy
few months making final preparations for
what we believe is the world’s most important
annual water meeting. And it is finally
beginning! On behalf of SIWI, I want to
welcome you to Stockholm, and to a week of inspiring deliberations
and new insights.
Last year saw several global decisions and agreements that
will guide development efforts for decades to come. We had
a Sustainable Development Goal dedicated to water and
sanitation. But we also have several other goals, which
depend on reliable access to water to be achieved. We had a
climate agreement in Paris. Water will be a part of both
mitigation and adaptation efforts.
This year is when efforts to put words into action start.
All initiatives, large and small, from all actors, will need to
be considered. We must be open to unconventional alliances.
We can only reach the goals we set for ourselves if we are
serious about collaboration, about doing it together and
breaking new ground. This is what I hope to see at World
Water Week: the creation of new partnerships, the seeds for
innovative solutions, the welcoming of out-of-the-box
thinking.
Browse this programme to decide on the most interesting
events for you during the Week. We have a great line-up of
speakers and exciting events and seminars. Just like last year,
the events are 90 minutes long, allowing for a greater variety
during the Week. In addition to the printed and online
versions of the programme, we have developed a smart phone
application, an app, SIWI World Water Week, where you
can browse the programme on- or offline.
Last year, World Water Week and Stockholm Water Prize
celebrated their 25th anniversary. This year, the Stockholm
Junior Water Prize celebrates its 20th year. We will put
special focus on our young bright minds, the water heroes
of the future, who offer so much inspiration, and hope that
we will indeed overcome the world’s water challenges.
And, last but never least, we have our social events, with
the jewel in the crown being the Stockholm Water Prize
Ceremony and Royal Banquet.
And with this, I again wish you most welcome to
Stockholm!
Torgny Holmgren
Executive Director
Stockholm International Water Institute
Photo: Tarun Bharat Sangh
2016 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
Professor Joan B. Rose from the USA is named
the 2016 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for her
tireless contributions to global public health:
in assessing risks to human health in water and
creating guidelines and tools for decision-makers
and communities to improve global health.
In its citation, the Stockholm Water Prize
Nominating Committee says that “The nexus of
water-related microbiology, water quality and
public health is rife with uncertainty – in both
theory and practice. The world is blessed with
few individuals who can tackle the increasing and
changing challenges to clean water and health,
starting from state-of-the-art science through
dedicated and original research, then moving to
professional dissemination, effective lobbying of
the legislative arena, influencing practitioners,
and raising the general awareness. Joan Rose is
the leading example of this extremely rare blend
of talents.”
Would you like to nominate someone who you
think has made remarkable achievements in
water? Nominate now for the 2017 edition of
the Stockholm Water Prize – the world’s most
prestigious prize in water at www.siwi.org/
prizes/stockholmwaterprize
Deadline for nominations is
26 September 2016.
Cover photo: iStock.
Design: Elin Ingblom, SIWI.
Founders of the Stockholm Water Prize are Swedish and international companies in collaboration with the City
of Stockholm. They are: Bacardi, Borealis, ERV, HP, Kemira, Poul Due Jensen Foundation, Ragn-Sells, Scandinavian
Airlines (SAS), Snecma/Safran, Water Environment Federation, Xylem and Ålandsbanken Sverige.
This announcement is published by the Stockholm International Water Institute
and printed by Molind, Stockholm, Sweden. The printing process has been
certified according to the Nordic Swan label for environmental quality. The content,
programme and other activities of World Water Week are subject to change.
For latest information please visit www.worldwaterweek.org
2 2016 World Water Week: Water for sustainable growth