Without water, there is no life. Next to its crucial role for the survival of this planet as we know it, water is also an indispensable resource for the economy. Future-proofing our water systems against the threats posed first and foremost by climate change is therefore of utmost importance. Innovative solutions to current and anticipated problems are urgently needed.
We cordially invite you to join us for the conference “Closing the loop – building resilient water systems in the context of climate change”. Let’s shed a light on where we stand in terms of scientific research and innovative products, how we can speed up action to achieve our ambitious goals, and what is needed to get everyone on board.
What to expect
Join us to discuss with experts from different sectors, connect with your peers, and learn more about innovative R&D projects addressing some of the most pressing challenges.
You can look forward to an enticing mix of speeches, a roundtable discussion, and a glimpse into where research stands and where it’s headed.
The event will also see three bright young researchers take the stage to receive the EuroTech Future Award 2024, a distinction for excellent early-career researchers who contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This prize is jointly awarded by the six EuroTech Universities.
Agenda
13:00 NETWORKING LUNCH AND REGISTRATION
With poster exhibition
14:00 WELCOME
Tatiana Panteli, Head of EuroTech Brussels Office
14:10 NAVIGATING WATER RESILIENCE: UNDERSTANDING OUR PROGRESS AND FUTURE PATH
Irina Pavlova, Brussels Liaison Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction, UNESCO
14:30 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE
Cutting-edge research made in Europe
The future of Europe’s rivers
Tom Battin, Head of River Ecosystems Laboratory, EPFL
Clustering microplastics in water with ultrasound
Yali Tang, Assistant Professor, Power & Flow Group, Eindhoven University of Technology
Cold plasma technology for water treatment and materials processes
Kasidapa Polprasarn, PhD Student, Plasma Physics Lab, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Tracing the links: Water, sanitation, and global health threats from antimicrobial resistance and infectious strains
Patrick Njage, Senior Researcher, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark
15:10 LITTLE COMFORT BREAK
15:20 HOW CAN WE SPEED UP ACTION?
Panel discussion
- Bertrand Vallet, Policy Officer, Ocean, Seas and Waters, DG RTD, European Commission
- Jesper Borg Christensen, Head of Research & Education, Water Valley Denmark
- Eran Friedler, Head of Technion Water Institute, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
- Claus Homann, Chief Strategic Officer, Aarhus Vand
- Daphne Keilmann-Gondhalekar, Research Scientist, Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich
16:10 EUROTECH FUTURE AWARD CEREMONY
Revealing and honouring the winners 2024
16:30 RECEPTION
The lunch will be shared with a conference on EU-Africa collaboration, taking place in the morning of 4 June at the same venue, given the close relationship between both conference topics and to increase networking opportunities (see box below).1
Practical information
Date and time: Tuesday, 4 June 2024, 13:00-17:30
Location: Palais des Académies (Salle de Duve), Rue Ducale 1, 1000 Brussels. This event will also be livestreamed.
Registration: Is required; please fill in this form.
Audience
This conference is open to all.
Further information
For further information, please contact Maria Montoiro (see contact details below).
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EU-AFRICA
Developing excellent research and talent together
4 June, 08:30-13:00 CET
Join us in the morning for this conference which will focus on the “Capacities for Science and Higher Education” and “Green Transition” priorities of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.