Young professionals attend Water Reuse Conference

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has pledged U$50000 to sponsor young water professionals from non oil-producing countries, to attend the International Water Association’s (IWA) Reuse Conference in Windhoek later this month.
The sponsorship is open to students and scientists from 141 countries including Namibia. The Conference, which will be held from 27-31 October at Safari Hotel and Conference Centre is expected to attract over 300 water experts from all over the world. The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has on previous occasions extended grants in support of IWA conferences. OFID covers participation expenses (travel costs, accommodation and visa and conference registration fees) for a limited number of candidates from eligible countries which can be accessed on the conference website. Petrus Du Pisani Organising Committee chairman said this OFID sponsorship allows experts from the Southern African region and abroad to come and share knowledge. It also exposes young water professionals from developing countries to the latest scientific insights and debates, allowing them to return home and implement sustainable water management and water reuse solutions that assist the development of their people for generations to come. “Windhoek is exemplary in showcasing the benefits of water reuse within a dry country with a growing population. Most OFID countries are low income nations facing problems with water availability. Therefore, reclamation plants might be the answer to the drinking water shortages in these countries,” comments Du Pisani. The conference will have a very strong scientific focus, where world leading research will be presented. It will also have a workshop stream, aimed at providing interaction between policy makers and scientist with special reference to possible financing options for reuse projects, as well as the regulation of this resource in a way that protects consumers. At the conference, Windhoek will be given the opportunity to showcase its innovative water management practices, demonstrating that Africa has a valuable contribution to make to water management and reuse.