Announcement: EUROPEAN WATER RESEARCH DAY at the  EXPO 2008
8 September 2008, Zaragoza, Spain

Since 1984, seven European Commission RTD Framework Programmes have contributed to the funding of research in Europe. They have all tackled the role of water in the environment and in society. This research has contributed not only to promoting good water management from the technological and institutional points of view but also to developing a sound water knowledge base and an awareness of its political dimensions and of the necessity to actively protect the viability of our aquatic ecosystem. Today, with a better understanding of the context and impact of global change, the aim is to identify ambitious objectives in order to develop new concepts, technologies and tools.

In the framework of the Zaragoza International Expo 2008 "Water and Sustainable Development", the Directorate General for Research organises a one day event – the European Water Research Day - aimed at presenting past, on-going and future EU research activities in this field. The event will be opened by the European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potoènik, together with the Spanish Science and Innovation Minister Cristina Garmendia, the Member of European Parliament Philippe Busquin and high-level representatives of the Government of Aragón, the Zaragoza Water Tribune and the European Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform. The main findings and impacts of European water-related research activities will be summarised. Six keynote speakers will present the results of previous and ongoing research activities paving the way for the identification of knowledge gaps and future challenges for sustainable solutions.

The contents of the next Call for proposals of FP7 (Cooperation programme) regarding water-related research will be presented, offering the possibility of flash presentations from potential applicants. A brokerage event will be included. The meeting is open to all parties interested in EU RTD water research initiatives, particularly those with responsibilities on dissemination and on research policy. The information/brokerage session related to the next FP7 Call for proposals is particularly addressed to institutions, companies and researchers wishing to build partnerships for responding to the new Call. Participation is subject to registration.

The draft Agenda of the event and the Registration Form are available at:

http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/eesdwatkeact/library?l=/european_research

During the EXPO 2008, accommodation facilities in Zaragoza are limited; participants should thus make their own arrangements as soon as possible. The above link also offers a list of travel agencies; please refer to the European Water Research Day at EXPO2008.

For further information on this event, contact:
Elena Domínguez (elena.dominguez@ec.europa.eu)
or
Javier Peinado-Lebrerojavier.peinado@ec.europa.eu