Net Werk voor de Geschiedenis van Hygiene en Milieu, 1999-2001 ...

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as a history of failure The narratives
have varied from a river lost
to the rebirth of a new river or the
remaking of a new nature. The narratives
have also been written in a
perspective of distribution of power
(The Conquered River) or in ecological
perspective (The Devastated
River). How will the stories that we
tell about man and the river influence
the way we interpret rivers in
the 21st century
E. The engineering of water systems
engineers, entrepreneurs and bureaucrats
This session will examine the
cultures, traditions and power
of those designing and constructing
water systems. It will,
for example, look at engineers
with reference to their aesthetic
and technical influences, and
their relationship to political
power structures. It will also, for
example, examine the entrepreneurial
capabilities and goals of
individuals, from private sector
firms, or government departments,
who conceived or guided
the construction of water systems.
F. Water and man relations in science
This session will deal with how the
relationship man/water has been
understood and explained through
the centuries and by contemporary
scientists in all kinds of disciplines
and traditions.
G. History of water, sanitation and
health
In this session studies of water and
health will be presented by a broad
focus on water borne diseases and
their vectors. We also call for papers
that deal with the relationship
between epidemics and water and
how societies have worked to secure
clean water to stem epidemics. This
session will also deal with changes
in water quality, and how these
changes can be seen related to social
developments. We also call for papers
discussing the understandings
both contemporary and historical
of the concept of clean/polluted
water.
H. Water, poverty and social development
This session will deal with development
of the modern megalopolis
and the water and sewage question
and how clean water can be made
available for the poor. Important
changes are taken place in the distribution
and control of water for
household consumption. In some
big cities the water issue has caused
political turmoil, even street-fighting.
How does the privatisation
wave in water distribution affect social
relations, political systems and
the water supply system How does
lack of water and poor distribution
systems affect development and
development in rural areas of the
so-called “Third World”
67
contactblad van de
stichting net werk voor de
1048-1049
geschiedenis van hygiëne en milieu
redactie: myriam d a r u
webversie: jan van den n o o r t
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I. Freshwater and the coastal zone
integrated and ecological management
The main focus will be put on
conflicts between user-interests,
especially interrelated problems
of freshwater, estuarine and marine
areas. Both examples of how
conflicts have been coped with
historically, and more recently
evolved problems and opportunities
will be addressed. We also call
for papers discussing principles for
management of freshwater resources,
estuarine and marine areas, as
in the integrated and ecological
approach in the new EU Water
Resources Directive. Finally, attention
will also be paid to the development
of environmental goals
and planning tools of interrelated
fresh water, estuarine and marine
areas.
J. Regional waters in a historical perspective
The conference will organise parallel
sessions on water issues in a
regional perspective (Asia, Middle
East and Africa, Europe, America).
Regional characteristics and different
experiences and possibilities
of human exploitation of water
resources will be highlighted. The
aim is to stimulate regional research
collaboration and improve
transfer of knowledge on manwater
relations.
The conference papers will be
edited by an international editorial
committee and subsequently
published. In connection with
the conference we will organise a
book exhibition on water related
research. We will invite participants
to send the organising committee
leaflets about reports and books
published on the conference topic.
The conference is organised in cooperation
with UNESCO=s International
Hydrological Programme.
It is envisaged that travel support
will be available for selected speakers.
It is the intention of the organisers
to target this support towards
speakers from universities and
institutions which do not normally
provide sufficient resources to fund
extensive foreign travel.
Conference location Bergen is the
second largest city in Norway, and
the capital of the Scandinavian
rain coast. It is also a commercial
centre which was historically one
of the Hanseatic ports with strong
maritime trading links to all parts
of the world. Seven mountains surround
it and the city is renowned
for its beauty. Bergen is also noted
for being the birthplace of Edvard
Grieg whose music reflects the
natural environment; mountains,
fjords, but also running water everywhere.
The location of the conference
hall, Bergen Kongress Senter,
is downtown Bergen.
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Net Werk 67 - augustus 2000
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