GRULAC visits UNESCO-IHE

Visit of Latin America & Caribbean Ambassadors to UNESCO-IHE

On 16 June 2016, approximately 20 representatives from Latin American embassies based in the Hague visited the Institute for Water Education.

The purpose of the visit was to learn about the activities of the Institute and potential ways in which UNESCO-IHE can assist Latin American countries with their water related needs.

The Latin America & Caribbean Ambassadors were welcomed by Johan Aad van Dijk, Business Director at UNESCO-IHE. A presentation about ‘Water related problems in Latin America’, was given by Mr Carlos Lopez Vazquez, Associate Professor of Sanitary Engineering.

The programme followed with four project and research snapshots by PhD fellows & staff:

Water Supply and Demand Assessment in Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos Archipelago), Ms Reyes Perez

Model based multi-objective evaluation of sustainable drainage systems, Ms Alves Beloqui

Water is Wide: Contextualizing Sanitation in Urban Latin America, Ms Acevedo Guerrero, Lecturer/Researcher in Politics of Sanitation and Wastewater Governance

Innovative water management practices to cope with water scarcity, Mr Carlos Lopez Vazquez

The programme closed with a Q&A and discussion. Following this, the Ambassadors and representatives met students, PhD fellows and staff members from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The visit was a good opportunity for Latin American staff, PhD fellows and MSc students to meet with the Ambassadors and representatives from their countries. There are currently 31 students, 28 fellows from this region studying or researching at UNESCO-IHE and 1004 alumni of the Institute from these countries.