WEDC’s global conference is the largest ever

May 2009 saw a gathering of over 650 delegates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the largest ever WEDC International Conference. The 34th WEDC Conference has continued the tradition of WEDC conferences going back to the early 1970s with each successive event taking a new perspective on the challenges to be faced to improve the lives of a third of the world’s population through safe water and sanitation. This is the only event globally that draws together research, knowledge and field experience from around the world for sharing at a grass-roots level.

At the first conference in 1973, 4 papers were presented. This year 134 were presented on themes relating to environmental sanitation, water supply, water resources, institutional issues and knowledge management. 65 nationalities were represented, a real A-Z of countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) Workshop Invitation

This is an invitation to any WEDC participants who would like to attend a 3-day training seminar on HWTS before the conference begins.

CAWST (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology) in collaboration with Oxfam GB will deliver the training workshop from May 13 to May 15, 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The following is a list of the topics to be covered during the training:

• Similarities and differences between household water treatment and community water treatment
• The water treatment process and the multi-barrier approach to safe water
• Options for protecting and treating water at the household level
• How to select HWTS options that are locally appropriate
• Implementation strategies and key factors for successful HWTS projects
• Project planning for HWTS projects

The ideal participants are:

• Decision-makers planning or considering household water treatment projects
• Non-governmental organizations (NGO), International NGOs, government agency or individual project leaders considering how best to provide safe water for a community

Participation is limited. For more information about course content and registration, please contact Melinda Foran (mforan@cawst.org) or Shemeles Mekonnen (SMekonnen@oxfam.org.uk).

Best regards,
Melinda Foran
CAWST International Technical Advisor, Africa
www.cawst.org

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