Innovation and youth inclusion: World Water Week highlights
In this blog, IHE Delft MSc student Rewa Assi, of Lebanon, shares insights on innovation and youth inclusion she gained while participating in the World Water Week held in Stockholm, Sweden, from 20 to 24 August. Rewa’s experience before studying at IHE Delft includes work for Waterlution in Lebanon, where she was the Water Innovation Lab Coordinator, and for the UN Development Programme. She currently serves as Chair of the Early Career and Young Professionals Task Force, which is part of the International Water Resources Association. Her research interests include exploring how interdisciplinary collaboration can stimulate innovation and contribute to problem-solving within the water-energy-food nexus.
This year's World Water Week’s theme, "Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World," highlighted the role of innovation and emphasised the need to include youth in shaping a sustainable water future. The event brought together 15,000 participants from 193 countries, with 42% of participants – including myself – 35 or younger.
Various sessions and discussions called for innovation as a central enabler to promote cooperation among different stakeholders to spark sustainable water solutions. The power of innovative ideas lies in their potential to transcend barriers and encourage interdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration. I noticed with interest that the words ‘innovation’ and ‘youth inclusion’ were coming up together in many sessions – to me, this shows that young professionals have a role in leading the change with powerful fresh ideas.
As emphasized in the SIWI Seminar: Governance: The enabling environment to foster innovation, innovation is not merely a product but a process”. The term "innovation" itself doesn't have a fixed definition; rather, it takes on various meanings in different contexts. It's not solely about implementing new ideas but also about improving existing systems and processes.
Young professionals debate
Growing the seeds of change: Young Water Professionals Debate 2023 discussed the motion “This house believes that we have all the solutions we need to solve our pressing water challenges: we just need to get on with it”. Debate speakers noted that while innovation fuels progress, it must be channelled through collaborative efforts to have a lasting impact. It's essential to acknowledge that challenges and opportunities are ever-evolving. The water problems we face today are distinct from those of the past, and our future solutions must be adapted accordingly. Here, the role of youth becomes paramount. As they combine local knowledge with fresh perspectives, they offer interconnected solutions that address multifaceted water challenges.
New ways to communicate goals
Importantly, the sessions also touched on the challenge of ensuring water-related matters are comprehensively addressed in international forums, such as the Conference of the Parties (COP). Meike Van Ginneken, the Water Envoy of the Netherlands’ Government, and a member of IHE Delft’s Board of Governors, said that placing water on the agenda is not enough: “We must articulate what we truly want, and do so in a way that encapsulates the complexities of the issue. Innovation, here, means finding new ways to communicate our goals and strategies,” she said at a World Water Week event titled UN 2023 Water Conference Talk Show: Keeping the momentum going.
Moving forward, we should remember that change is not an abstract concept; it's something we can actively influence. By harnessing the power of innovation and embracing the voices of young professionals, we can turn the seeds of change into a thriving reality. The simple yet powerful phrase "Let us use the skills we have!" resonates as a call to action, reminding us that each individual has a role to play in shaping a water-wise world. We carry these insights forward as we step into the path towards World Water Week 2024 themed "Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future".