The concluding session of the international Water Conference titled "Securing Sustainable Water for All: Inclusion, Integration and Innovation" highlighted that pro-poor development in Pakistan will have to start with water development and strengthening the water economy. In order to provide solutions to major water-related challenges facing Pakistan today, Hisaar Foundation organised a two-day International Water Conference at a local hotel here.
The conference reached out to all stakeholders to develop investment in innovation, encourage integration and promote inclusion of all stakeholders. This was done keeping in mind the urgent need for finding solutions to water shortages in Pakistan, in view of the UN dedicated goal for water for the year 2015. Following up from day one of the conference, the second day had a session on the role of the government in the water sector, chaired by Zafar Mehmood, Chairman, WAPDA, and prominent panellists associated with the government, water and social sectors. The second session targeted the youth, and was a conversation between established water sector specialists and young people entering the profession or thinking about working in the water sector. This session was well received, with high attendance and active participation by the youth. Another notable session was regarding the role of the media in projecting water issues, putting out the right information about water, and helping build consensus on water contentious water issues. Another session was led by the head of UNDP Pakistan, Marc-Andre Franche, on climate change. Other sessions covered topics including; innovations, droughts, ground water etc.
The conference declaration highlighted that pro-poor development in Pakistan will have to start with water development and strengthening the water economy. "We have to narrow the gap between research and policy, and strengthen the Universities for Water Network," the declaration underscored. The declaration endorsed Hisaar Foundation's vision of building the Hisaar Institute of Inter-Disciplinary Studies on Water for conducting innovative, scientific, engineering and especially social scientific research on water. The conference declaration was followed by the Launch of the Media Campaign on Water by Seema Tahir, Member, Hisaar Foundation Think Tank.
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