Global Trends & Challenges in Water Science, Research and Management

Abstract

Specialist Groups represent the core vehicle for issue-based interaction on scientifi c, technical and management topics within the International Water Association (IWA). Specialist Groups facilitate cooperation, networking and knowledge generation, primarily through regular conferences and publications. They are a major source of channelling the energy that is in the water professional community to organize events, spread news through regular newsletters, to generate collaboration on a voluntary basis, etc. One of the larger voluntary efforts that fi nd an outlet through the Specialist Groups are Task Groups that are formed within a hosting Specialist Group to perform a defi ned task, for example the production of a IWA Scientifi c and Technical Report that describes the state-of-the-art in a certain discipline or a consensus to move forward on a certain topic. IWA’s Specialist Groups are self-managed and cover all-important topics in the water management sector. In total some 50 Specialist Groups have been formed. They are an exceptionally effective means of information and knowledge sharing. To improve the quality of knowledge sharing, for the fi rst time, the IWA has produced this report on Global Trends & Challenges in Water Science, Research and Management. It is a compendium compiled from the submissions of IWA Specialist Groups. This report aims to raise the profi les of the IWA Specialist Groups and let Specialist Groups be better known by water profes- sionals in the world, as well as to supply better knowledge dissemination. It is composed of papers from each group summariz- ing the current state of knowledge within the SG topic/subtopics and future trends and challenges. It creates an understanding of the topic for the reader, and shows the trends and challenges within the Specialist Groups by identifying, for example, three hot topics that are expected to surface in the next fi ve years. No particular format was imposed, allowing the Specialist Groups to develop their messages freely to the community. There are in total 25 Specialist Group contributions in this fi rst compendium, to be distributed to IWA members, partners and other water professionals. This effort will be continued periodically in order to keep information and knowledge up to date. The work of the Specialist Groups is coordinated and supported by IWA Specialist Groups Manager Dr Hong Li. Please feel free to contact her by email at hong.li@iwahq.org if you require any further information or have any questions about the content of this report. Enjoy the read and get an update on where things are and are moving to!