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Aqua Team course explores sustainable water management in mountains

08.05.2023

On 8 May, the “Aqua Team for Sustainable Development” course kicked off, offering a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in sustainable water management and investment. The two-week online course features 16 lectures and discussions by high-level water experts from various countries, representing universities, research institutes, government agencies and the private sector.

The Aqua Team course will cover a wide range of topics related to water management and sanitation, ecosystem preservation, and private sector investment in sustainable water infrastructure. Livio Spadavecchia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Department of Development Cooperation (Italy), will be facilitating the course and speakers include Valentina Fuscoletti, Istituto Superiore di Sanità – Water quality and health division; Hugo Mantilla Meluk, University of Quindio; Daniel Viviroli, University of Zurich; Hans Schreier, University of British Columbia; Nicola Colombo, University of Turin; Deo Raj Gurung, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat; Paolo Sertoli, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation; and Andrea Fabris, Association of Italian Fish Farmers.

The first week of the course focuses on academic and institutional subjects such as governance and regulations, controls, sanitation and ecosystems, while the second week centres around investments and the private sector, with companies presenting their business skills for the management of desalination, fish farming and irrigation.

Rosalaura Romeo, Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, highlights the vital role of mountains as the world’s “water towers” stating that, “The sustainable practices in mountain regions can ensure a steady flow of clean water for present and future generations”.

As the impacts of climate change increasingly compound existing water-related challenges, finding sustainable water management solutions becomes increasingly crucial. The Aqua Team for Sustainable Development course offers both a learning platform and networking opportunity for participants, with the aim of facilitating the exchange of ideas and the formation of possible partnerships for sustainable water solutions. Throughout the course, participants will have opportunities to network and develop proposals for operational partnerships, which can be evaluated and potentially transformed into subsequent cooperative projects.

The course will run from 8 – 19 May 2023 and will offer two daily lectures in English from 15.00 to 17.30 CEST. It is jointly facilitated by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, with the support of the University of Turin – DISAFA.

Click here to watch the recordings of the lectures

View the course programme here