In Montpellier, a "Europe-Mediterranean-Africa Water Week" to promote dialogue between science and society
From May 29 to June 3, 2022, the Unesco ICIREWARD international center, supported by the University of Montpellier and the CNRS, is organizing the "Europe Mediterranean Africa Water Week". This national and international week devoted to water issues will be the first time in France that the Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) will be held, with a unique program of themed exhibitions and special events for the general public.
The preservation of water resources has become a priority issue throughout the world, and will be addressed throughout the week. As Montpellier is one of the world's water capitals, seven days will be devoted to the challenges that this resource represents today, and to discussing possible solutions on both sides of the Mediterranean basin. The week will also be an opportunity to make science accessible through a varied program, instructive meetings and fascinating exchanges.
The XIth Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, a first in France
For the first time since its creation in 1922, the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) has chosen France to host its scientific assembly, and celebrate its 100th anniversary. Montpellier was chosen to host this major event because of its UNESCO International Water Centre, ICIREWARD, the only one of its kind in France. IAHS is the world's leading association for the hydrological sciences, and its scientific assembly brings together the excellence of Research in the field of water. The ICIREWARD Center aims to take advantage of the presence of over 600 researchers to build bridges between scientists and civil society.
Two major events organized by the University of Montpellier
During this week, two dates are particularly significant for the University of Montpellier:
- May 30 at 10:30 am: opening of the AISH conference by Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
- June 2 at 10:30 a.m.: signing of the partnership agreement between the UNESCO Centre of Montpellier and the University of Montpellier, on the one hand, and the UNESCO Chair "Water, Women and Decision-Making Power" and the University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Abidjan) on the other.
Unprecedented programming, free access and open to the general public
All week long, free access will be available on the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle:
- A participative and artistic fresco "J'empreinte l'eau, je m'engage" ("I imprint water, I commit myself")
All week long, free access to the Salon du Belvédère:
- Audio-visual exhibitions "Water, the challenge of the future
- Water at the heart of science" scientific exhibition
- A "Water4Future Junior" exhibition of work by schoolchildren
May 31 at the Corum in Montpellier:
- From 3 to 5 p.m.: the international final of the "Ideackathon Water4Future" competition for high school students
- At 7pm: Erik Orsenna's lecture "Rivers and climate change: how to imagine a new future" at the Auditorium Pasteur.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Date : May 29 to June 3, 2022
Full programme for the week: unesco-montpellier.org