International drought symposium
The Water Science and Policy Center at the University of California, Riverside, is planning an International Drought Symposium that will take place March 24-26, 2010, at the Marriott Hotel in Riverside. The main objective is to compare drought impacts and mitigation under various physical, economic, and institutional situations in these states, and to allow 'out of the box' approaches to be considered and adopted by the various countries.
The symposium will bring senior disciplinary experts from Spain, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, and California — all drought-prone areas — to sit together and share scientific and policy aspects related to drought and its mitigation in each of these areas. The disciplines to be included are: economics, agronomy, hydrology, ecology, technology, policy, and water management.
Format of the symposium
The Drought Symposium comprises a series of presentations by teams of water experts from five countries: Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, and the U.S. (California). Each country team includes an expert in seven areas: agronomy, ecology, economics, hydrology, policy, regional water management, and technology (Irrigation). These 35 experts will be joined by two keynote speakers. The presentations will be organized by subject area, with each of the five countries' expert in that area speaking, followed by questions and answers from the audience.
The symposium will be geared toward professionals working in the field of water and drought; however, anyone with an interest in the subject may attend. Invitations will be sent to agencies, organizations, governmental bodies, and universities throughout the world. The goal of the symposium is to assemble a body of information about current and best practices in the field of drought. A proceedings volume will be assembled and published following the symposium.
Water professionals from other countries or who are not members of a country's team cannot present papers at the symposium. However, opportunities for collaboration with other professionals will be facilitated by attending the symposium.
Public event "A World with Less Water: Discussion on Drought Policy"
Because the topic of drought is of great interest to Southern Californians, a free public event — "A World with Less Water: Discussion on Drought Policy" — will be held on the last day of the symposium (Friday, March 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.). Sponsored by the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy, this public event will be advertised widely throughout the region. A panel made up of water policy makers will discuss drought issues, answer questions from the audience, and provide a thoughtful discussion about what can be done to avoid and ameliorate drought, both in California and worldwide. This event will take place in the Marriott Riverside Hotel. No registration is required to attend, and the event is free of charge.