"From New York to Montpellier, everyone is mobilized for sustainable water" with Icireward

[Press release] - Published on March 21, 2023 in Press Room

The UNESCO Icireward International Center, supported by the University of Montpellier, is organizing a day of events on March 24 to coincide with the United Nations Water Conference, which will take place from March 22 to 24, 2023, in New York. This unique awareness-raising day will be divided into two parts: during the day, awareness-raising workshops for schoolchildren and college students from Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and the region, and at the end of the afternoon, a free round table discussion open to all, entitled "Water resources: it's getting complicated!".

The program for Friday, March 24

School workshops at Le Corum: Montpellier Convention Center, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., then from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In the morning and afternoon, the event "From New York to Montpellier, everyone mobilized for sustainable water" will focus on younger audiences. The Corum in Montpellier will welcome elementary and middle schools from Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and the Occitanie region (Lozère). In total, more than 500 students will learn about issues related to water resources, which are crucially important for their future. To this end, the students will participate in a variety of workshops, such as photo exhibitions, models, a water fresco, and experimental and artistic workshops. Throughout the day, they will be able to count on the presence of Frédéric Denhez (author, TV and radio commentator, popularizer, and host) to further pique their curiosity.

A round table discussion in the Urbain V amphitheater of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The event will conclude with a round table discussion entitled "Water resources: it's getting complicated!" Last summer demonstrated the importance and vulnerability of water resources. What are the issues and major challenges ahead? What are the constraints and levers for action? An eclectic panel of scientists, elected officials, managers, and users will address issues related to water resources, their evolution, accessibility, quality, and the need to share them. Particular emphasis will be placed on the need to regenerate dialogue between all stakeholders in the field in order to respond to the major challenges ahead, but also to address existing avenues for improvement and innovation. This round table will be moderated by Frédéric Denhez, author, television and radio commentator, popularizer, and host.

List of speakers: Céline Michelon, winegrower at Mas de Bayle – Éric Servat, director of the UNESCO Icireward International Center – Florence Vaysse, regional representative for Languedoc and Roussillon Météo France – Gabrielle Halpern, Doctor of Philosophy – Grégory Vallée, director of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Water Authority – Jean-François Blanchet, CEO of BRL Group.

The UNESCO ICIREWARD International Center in a nutshell

The UNESCO International Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Water Systems Dynamics (ICIREWARD) is the first and only UNESCO research and training center dedicated to continental water in France. Located in Montpellier, it is one of the most important centers of its kind internationally. ICIREWARD brings together and strengthens collaboration between nearly 400 scientists and 150 doctoral students in 17 research laboratories. The center's scientific community thus forms a rich multidisciplinary and international network to improve understanding of water issues. Its research areas combine hydrological, chemical, and biological sciences with social sciences to provide comprehensive expertise on water resource challenges, including availability, quality, sharing, and extreme events (floods, droughts). Icireward works throughout the year with schoolchildren, high school and university students, and the general public.