A Time For Solutions – Report From the Sixth World Water Forum
Marlou Church, Carol Collier and Caroline D’Angelo
While we often hear the expression “think globally; act locally” the World Water Forum process is a realization of that expression for those of us who work in water. In March 2012 the 6th World Water Forum was held in Marseille, France. These forums are held every three years and serve as a milestone in the development of international policies and agreements by and between governments on water issues. They also provide the opportunity for thousands of water professionals to share ideas and learn new ideas that they can bring back to apply in their home watersheds; this past forum was attended by 35,000 water professionals.
At our May meeting we will bring this global process back to the local level – where solutions are implemented. The American Water Resources Association has been an integral participant in the Forums since the beginning. Our panel of presenters will be made up of 3 water leaders who are local to the Greater Philadelphia area and were involved in the process leading up to the 6th Forum and the Forum itself. Marlou Church Gregory is the President-Elect of the Philadelphia Chapter of AWRA and has participated in four of the six forums. As a leader in the Inter-American Water Resources Network (IWRN), Marlou will discuss the IWRN dialogue process that identifies the key issues for the Americas that are brought forward to the world stage for discussion. Carol Collier is President-Elect for AWRA at the national level. Carol participated in the discussions at the Forum and will present the results and commitments made at the Forum and the role that AWRA can take to help implement these commitments in the US. Our third panelist is Caroline D’Angelo who is a graduate intern for the Initiative for Global Environment Leadership at Penn and ran the Student Reporter Program at the Forum this past March. As a part of the youth leadership program Caroline will speak to some of the ideas for the future of water policy and how that can start at the local level.
The panel presentation will be followed by Q&A and discussion on how we can address the commitments made at the Forum – how we can act locally on global needs and ideas.
Welcome to the AWRA-PMAS
...providing a forum for discussion and exchange of information and ideas relative to water resources management issues specific to our metropolitan area.
Please Note WE HAVE RETURNED TO:
One Parkway Building
1515 Arch Street
18th Floor Conference Room
Philadelphia, PA
PLEASE BRING PHOTO ID TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE BUILDING
FREE TO MEMBERS - You are invited to the March 28th AWRA Social Networking Event from 5:30 to 7:30 at Ladder Fifteen, 1528 Sansom Street. Complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.
Featuring Adam Levine, Historical Consultant to PWD presenting:
From Creek to Sewer: A History of Topographical Change in Philadelphia
Go to our events page and scroll down to register
ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
As a result of our recent elections for the board, we are proud to announce our new board positions! The new board leadership for the AWRA-PMAS 2011/2012 season is as follows:
President: Paul Racette, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
President Elect: Marlou Church Gregory, AMEC
Vice President: Jaclyn Marge, Philadelphia Water Department
Treasurer: Ashley Schmid, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc.
Secretary: Benoit Van Aken, Temple University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Membership Chair: Chris McEntee, Greeley & Hansen
Past President: Desiree Henning Dudley, PA DEP Southeast Region
Thank you for your participation in this important matter and please forward any of your suggestions for speakers/topics for the 2012/2013 section season.
Our meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month, September through June. Please click on "Events" link to register for this meeting and to see a listing of future meeting dates and topics.
Thanks to our Organization Member Sponsors:
