Dr Goldin, AWIRU’s director, started the day with a warm welcome and an invitation to question, explore and to celebrate a culture of deliberate curiosity and inquiry. Prof Biswas encouraged workshop participants to think critically about the accuracy and relevance of information that is disseminated via popular media, and to explore new possibilities for partnerships and development. The success story of Bhutan and India was highlighted as an example of a mutually benefical, collaborative relationship between countries. Achievements, such as exemplary water management in Singapore, were applauded and illustrate that sucess stories are not often well enough publicised. Each country/situation needs to model solutions on their unique social, economic, political climate. Prof Biswas emphazised that there is not a physical shortage or water, there is enough for everyone, but that we are not managing the resource effectively. Dr Tortajada spoke about the race for paradigms; she criticised the emphasis on theory that takes precedence over practice. Dr Tortajada lamented that the issues and problems (in the water sector) over the past thirty years have largely remained the same. It is time for this to change. Dr Tortajada appealed to young professionals to value science, to be cognizant of and open to different perspectives. She also cautioned us about being responsible with our words and that we must be clear about what we mean. Dr Turton’s enthusiastic presentation inspired young professionals in the group to sit up and ask questions, and to decide for themselves what the ‘main issue’ might be. He iterated that we need new knowledge to better understand the complex systems in which we find ourselves and spoke of a new scientific model known as the Trialogue Model where science is in the service of society. |
