The Water JPI Knowledge Hub on Water Related UN SDGs Workshop (Lisbon, December 3, 2019)
The Water JPI Knowledge Hub on Water Related UN SDGs workshop was hosted by FCT and took place in Lisbon on December 3rd, 2019. The aim of the workshop was to launch the second Water JPI Knowledge Hub (KH) implemented under the Coordination and Support Action (CSA) IC4WATER. The objectives of the workshop included (a) narrowing down the thematic scope of the KH, (b) describing the type of activities and outputs to achieve in the next two years, (c) selecting the scientific coordinator of the KH, and (d) choosing the acronym and name for the KH.
Along with several Water JPI partner institution representatives, 12 invited water experts from different parts of Europe who compose the Seed Group of the KH attended the workshop. The event was initiated by Rabi Mokhtar from Beirut American University who made a key-note speech to reflect upon the global research gaps and challenges under the theme of “New Water Under Water Scarcity”, which is the global topic of the KH as designated by Water JPI Governing Board previously. Before the breakout sessions, Norbert Kreuzinger, Scientific Coordinator in the Water JPI’s pilot Knowledge Hub on Contaminants of Emerging Concern, shared his experiences derived from the pilot KH.
By the end of the workshop the participants had gathered a pool of exciting ideas, which will be evaluated in early 2020 to set the thematic scope of the KH. It was agreed that the first output by the Seed Group should be a policy brief that will be supplemented by scientific outcomes and deliver clear-cut policy recommendations addressing international cooperation challenges associated with achieving SDGs related to water. Roberto Deidda (University of Cagliari) is chosen as the Scientific Coordinator of the KH and he will be assisted by Kevin McGuigan (Royal Collage of Surgeons in Ireland) in this task. Finally, the attendees concurred on the acronym “WATER4SDGs”, which reflects the SDGs oriented approach of the second Water JPI Knowledge Hub.
WATER4SDGs Seed Group getting to know each other during the Social event
