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Saving a life-sustaining resource
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May 17, 2002
Water is our most precious resource and sustains all life on earth. Yet there is now no doubt that this lifeline is no longer assured for future generations and it is generally thought that a global water crisis is imminent. With recent drinking water contamination in Walkerton, Ontario and North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned that this valuable resource is poorly protected.
On Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, Simon Fraser University and the University of BC will co-host a workshop that will bring together world experts on water science, management and policy. John Pierce, SFU’s dean of arts and a resource management expert, helped organize the workshop. "There is an emerging consensus among members of the research community, various levels of government and non-government organizations that action must be taken to forestall, on a number of fronts, threats to both the quality and availability of secure water supplies."
Solutions to avoid impending crises will be discussed at The Water and the Future of Life on Earth workshop at SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
Recommendations will be forwarded to the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan in 2003. Among the issues to be addressed at the workshop are: the current state of Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and drinking water; the need for a national water policy and water privatization or commercialization.
International experts participating in this action-oriented workshop include: David Schindler, Canada's leading freshwater ecologist; Margaret Catley-Carlson, chair of the Global Water Partnership, and Lloyd Axworthy, CEO of the UBC Centre for Global Issues and longtime MP and cabinet member.
Presenters and other leaders in water science, management and policy will discuss the most critical issues facing Canada and the international community at a think tank on Friday, May 24. They will hammer out a plan for developing a national water management strategy. The participants will hold a press conference at the UBC Centre for Global Issues at 2pm on the 24th. Individual interviews may be scheduled by contacting 604.291.5466.
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CONTACT
John Pierce, 604.291.4415, john_pierce@sfu.ca
Craig Orr, Centre for Coastal Studies, 604.936.9474
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035
On Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, Simon Fraser University and the University of BC will co-host a workshop that will bring together world experts on water science, management and policy. John Pierce, SFU’s dean of arts and a resource management expert, helped organize the workshop. "There is an emerging consensus among members of the research community, various levels of government and non-government organizations that action must be taken to forestall, on a number of fronts, threats to both the quality and availability of secure water supplies."
Solutions to avoid impending crises will be discussed at The Water and the Future of Life on Earth workshop at SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
Recommendations will be forwarded to the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan in 2003. Among the issues to be addressed at the workshop are: the current state of Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and drinking water; the need for a national water policy and water privatization or commercialization.
International experts participating in this action-oriented workshop include: David Schindler, Canada's leading freshwater ecologist; Margaret Catley-Carlson, chair of the Global Water Partnership, and Lloyd Axworthy, CEO of the UBC Centre for Global Issues and longtime MP and cabinet member.
Presenters and other leaders in water science, management and policy will discuss the most critical issues facing Canada and the international community at a think tank on Friday, May 24. They will hammer out a plan for developing a national water management strategy. The participants will hold a press conference at the UBC Centre for Global Issues at 2pm on the 24th. Individual interviews may be scheduled by contacting 604.291.5466.
—30—
CONTACT
John Pierce, 604.291.4415, john_pierce@sfu.ca
Craig Orr, Centre for Coastal Studies, 604.936.9474
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035