Conveners / Coordinators Meeting

Secretary General, Hideaki Oda

A meeting was held from November 22 to 24 in Kyoto for 3rd World Water Forum coordinators and conveners. It was the most important step in terms of deciding the content of the Forum, gathering all the coordinators and conveners of the 358 sessions under 33 themes and 5 regions. For the details, please see the Topic of the Week section of this newsletter.

For us, this was a big step forward to the Forum. I would like to thank everybody for participating so enthusiastically in the discussion. I was encouraged by one person's comment, 'By attending this meeting, for the first time I could clearly understand about the Secretariat's concept of "a conference created by all.' I imagine the Forum will be different from all previous ones. I look forward to it."

I participated in "Global Environment Forum" organized by the Yotsubashi Lion's Club in Osaka. This forum was held for more than 700 first and second year students from the three junior high schools in Osaka City so that they might think about the environment as a part of their general studies. I was a little worried because it was the first time for me to speak to junior high students, but I was relieved that they listened to me eagerly. It would be gratifying if any of them were to initiate activity to resolve world water issues in the future. Before that, I hope they will participate in the Children's World Water Forum which will be held as one of the sessions during the Forum. We are looking forward to reading their essays.

As of now, we have received more than 1,500 registrations. The Forum will be open to all and be created through participation by all, so your active participation in the Forum is very much welcome!!! Please register NOW.

Registration information: http:/regi.water-forum3.com/
The 3rd World Water Forum official web site: http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/

To register for the Forum, please either register on-line at the Forum web site, or fill out the attached registration form and send it to the Registration Office at the address below.

Contact: Registration Office of the 3rd World Water Forum
TEL: +81-3-5212-1640 FAX: +81-3-5212-1641
e-mail: registration@water-forum3.com

3rd World Water Forum Conveners / Coordinators Meeting

The 3rd World Water Forum Conveners / Coordinators Meeting was held in Kyoto from November 22 to 24, 2002. Many coordinators and conveners gathered to discuss the general framework of the Forum and the operation of the sessions. The meeting was also intended to make the final adjustments to the Forum program. 128 people from 21 countries attended the Coordinators Meeting on November 22, and 307 people (including coordinators) from 34 countries attended the Conveners Meeting on the 23rd. On the 24th, 181 people, including participants of the "First Informal Advisory Meeting for the Ministerial Conference" (held on the 25th) attended the Meeting on the Interaction between the Forum and the Ministerial Conference, the main objective of which was to create the first opportunity for the promotion of interaction between Forum participants and Ministerial Conference participants through dialogue between coordinators and government representatives.

During the meeting, discussion topics included 1) "Cooperation among sessions" such as making substantial content by sharing major participants among sessions, 2) "Coordination with the Ministerial Conference", such as implementing a process to reflect the outcome of the Forum into the Ministerial Conference, and 3) "Dispatching the Forum message to the world with the cooperation of the media".

In addition, regarding "Support for sessions," there were a number of requests such as 1) reducing the registration fee for participants from NGOs and developing countries, 2) financial support for NGOs and for the preparation of sessions, and 3) interpretation service for various languages. In terms of "Preparation for the Forum and the operation of sessions," there were some requests such as 1) information sharing and mutual operation among sessions held in parallel at each venue, and 2) increasing participation in "Mizu-en" and "Water EXPO." Meanwhile, the final adjustments for the Forum program on each theme were made and the final draft of the Forum program was decided.

1. A Meeting on the Interaction between the Forum and the Ministerial Conference was held on November 24, co-organized by the Japanese government. Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, Chair of the National Steering Committee of the 3rd World Water Forum, gave the opening speech. He mentioned that the Forum is very important as a follow-up to the Johannesburg Summit, and that since it is a conference aimed at action, broad participation and activities are essential.
   
   There were discussions about "World Water Actions," "Statements from themes and regions," and "Dialogue between Forum participants and Ministers," which are important factors in connecting the Forum and the Ministerial Conference. In particular in the brainstorming session about the dialogue between the Forum participants and Ministers, discussion focused on concrete topics such as how the participants will be selected and how the dialogue should be promoted in order to make it effective beyond differences of language and specialization.
   The Forum program will be finalized through meetings of the Steering Committee and the Organizing Committee in Japan in December. By January 20, 2003, the first draft of the statement of each theme and each region will be announced and open to discussion.


2. First Informal Advisory Meeting on the Ministerial Conference
   On November 25th, the First Informal Advisory Meeting on the Ministerial Conference was organized by the Japanese government, in order to invite the broad contribution of opinions about the Ministerial Conference. About 110 people attended, including 70 representatives from some 40 countries and international organizations and 40 people from related Japanese ministries. The Japanese stakeholders' presentation included the basic policy of the Ministerial Conference, the process and expected image of the outcome, and an invitation to comments. During the presentation, the creation of "Blueprint for action (tentative name)" was proposed: its contents will include the Ministerial Declaration and the concrete actions taken by each country and organization. The proposal was approved in principle. There was an opinion voiced that the name of "blueprint for action" should be changed. After this meeting and the subsequent working out of details of the plan proposed by Japan, the Japanese government will formally propose the idea to each country. The second meeting will be held at the end of January 2003.

Among the major opinions aired at the meeting were: 1) the importance of discussing issues from the point of view of water and the eradication of poverty, 2) simultaneous interpretation should be provided for more languages, and 3) the importance of discussing themes such as disaster, flood, crisis management, integrated water resources management and fund raising.

PUB initiative launched at IAHS

Reported by Yasuji Takano

The International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS),) which has its headquarters in the U.K. and is led by Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi of Yamanashi University, Japan as president held its kick-off workshop in Brasilia from November 20 to 22, 2002 with 100 people in attendance. As a result of this workshop, the PUB (Decade on Prediction in Ungaged Basins) was initiated. PUB is an activity which will contribute to the resolution of world water issues through hydrological predictions and the characterization of basins for which there is as yet no observational data.

Hydrological science provides a base for examining various water issues. This area of research is extensive, covering ice and snow, surface water, groundwater, erosion, water quality, water resources systems, remote sensing, and the earth?fs surface. Research using scientific technology has been very active, including the use of satellites. On the other hand, from the global point of view, there are many regions where such observation has not been done, so it is necessary to spread hydrological knowledge immediately by collecting the essence of recent science, and to work towards international cooperation in deliberating the resolution of world water issues.

The PUB initiative will be presented at the 3rd World Water Forum as one of the concrete activities of the "Science, Technology and Management Panel", with the intention of opening discussion with many other scientific societies and stakeholders towards the resolution of water issues.

"Water Voices" now number more than 15,000!!

- "Water Voice" from Japan
Title: Present situation of water

A few years ago, I had a surprising experience when I went swimming in Lake Biwa for the first time. I was shocked to realize that I have been drinking such dirty, stinky water from the lake. Even in the swimming spot, which is said to have the cleanest water, I could not see my toes in the water. Now I understand why bottled mineral water and water purifiers are so popular.

Current status of the "Water Voice" Project
As of November 28
Number of "Water Voices": 15,509
Number of registered messengers: 1,853
Number or Partner Organizations: 160

- Discount for Gold messengers!!!
Each messenger who has collected more than 10 voices will be identified as a Gold Messenger and presented with a gold pin. Gold messengers qualify for a discount on the 3rd World Water Forum registration fee.

If you have any question, please inquire to: voice@water-forum3.com
You can view all the Water Voices which have been collected at:
http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/voice/

Session of the week: Title: Brainstorming for Kyoto Chairperson: Jerome Delli Priscoli http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/for/en/fshow.553

The Secretariat of the 3rd World Water Forum held the 3rd World Water Forum Conveners / Coordinators Meeting from November 22 to 23, and the Meeting on the Interaction between the Forum and the Ministerial Conference (co-organized by the Japanese government) on November 24.
On November 24 a two-hour brainstorming session was held about "Dialogue between Forum participants and Ministers," which will be held at the Kyoto venue on March 21, 2003. Concrete discussion was developed on topics such as how the participant representatives will be selected, how dialogue should be developed in order to make it effective beyond differences of language and specialization, and how the outcome of the dialogue should be developed.

The Secretariat of the 3rd World Water Forum has been staging a number of brainstorming sessions to exchange and collect opinions. The following are some examples:

1. "From Bonn to Kyoto" (a side event for the Bonn Conference held in December 2001)
   http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/newslet/en/show.627 (see Newsletter 57, December 20, 2001)


2. "For WWSD" (a side event for the New York preparatory session for the Johannesburg Summit in February 2002)
   http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/newslet/en/show.947 (see Newsletter65, February 25, 2002)


3. "From Johannesburg to Kyoto" (a side event for the Johannesburg Summit in September 2002)
   http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/newslet/en/show.1795 (see Newsletter 94, October 8 , 2002)

The agenda and content of past brainstorming discussions are presented in the Virtual Water Forum, so even the opinions of people who could not attend such discussions can be reflected in future development. The content of the November 24 brainstorming session will be posted there shortly.

Current status of the VWF
As of November 27:
Number or registered participants: 4,730
Established number of conference rooms: 158

We encourage you to submit your opinion to any conference in which you are interested. First, please register as a VWF participant at: http:/www.worldwaterforum.org/vwf/
If you have any question, please inquire by e-mail at: vwf@water-forum3.com