The schedule of events consisted of the Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science (CWLPS) based at the University of Dundee holding the annual UNESCO Governing Board (picutred above) meeting in person for the first time since COVID on Wednesday 23rd April to discuss the work and progress of the Centre of the past year.
On Thursday 24th April, the Centre hosted the ‘Positive Water Futures for All’ symposium at Discovery Point, Dundee (pictured below). The day started with a ministerial address by Rt Hon Gillian Martin MSP Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero & Energy, Scottish Government. Academics and PhD students from CWLPS presented on their work and research over the past 20 years and the day also consisted of talks from representatives of fellow Category 2 Water Centres from across the world in Greece, Nigeria and Japan.
On Friday 25th April, delegates visited the Eddleston Water Project to see nature-based solutions in action. The project has received the attention of researchers, policymakers, and has been recognised for its achievements, notably as a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Site and a HELP basin (Hydrology for the Environment, Life & Policy). Delegates visited four locations to see first-hand some of the natural flood management interventions, examples of monitoring equipment to detect changes, providing an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges provided by the Eddleston Water Project.
CWLPS Director, Professor John Rowan, said
“20 years is an important milestone to look back on, but more importantly to look forward, ensuring we continue to make a leading contribution to regenerative and inclusive water futures for all. We look at all aspects of water resources, including governance issues, with increasing attention to extreme events in the form of floods and droughts arising from climate change. Never before has our work been more relevant.”
As a further celebration of the 20th anniversary, artist-in-residence Jean Duncan, has showcased the Centre’s work in the ‘Flow’ exhibition (pictured above), which had a successful opening on Friday 9 May with 75 people in attendance. At a time when questions about climate change are both critical and contested, the exhibition explores the environmental and social significance of water. Why are we having more extreme floods? Are our rivers polluted? Is our drinking water safe? These themes are reflected upon in the displayed artwork, alongside historical environmental records from University of Dundee Archives and related art and artefacts from the University Museum Collections.
University of Dundee Archive Services also organised a discussion panel on Thursday 15 May which discussed the role archival records play in understanding our current environment and planning for the future. Attendees heard from archivists, academics as well as industry experts from SSE Renewables and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The exhibition is open to the public until 25 July, Monday-Friday, in the Lamb Gallery of the Tower Building: Flow | University of Dundee, UK
CWLPS would like to thank the Scottish Government for their continued support of the Centre.
