Water conference brought together young leaders

Students, community groups and local councillors tackled water management issues

Participants in the Future of Water Workshop

Twenty-one students and young professionals from the Maritime provinces spent two and a half days in Truro In the Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park this past weekend learning about problems and solutions for water sustainability and quality.

The Future of Water Workshop was focused specifically on issues affecting communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Canadian youth talked with water experts and community groups about issues in their communities, including climate change, water and watershed management and municipal water issues.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop future leaders in water resource management and help them make connections with the issues and each other.

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The workshop will be held at Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park located just outside of Truro, N.S.

Video

Slideshow featuring highlights from the Workshop, and an interview with Rob Reddin, a participant in the workshop. (by Mauricio Planchart)

"I thought it was a great opportunity to meet extraordinary people. I really liked the fact that we had people working in different areas: people who work with the government, local councillors, local businesses, university students, and community groups creating awareness and creating ideas for resolving the issues of water," said Penelope Montoya, an exchange student from Mexico.

Waterlution is a Ontario-based organization that brings together young leaders interested in water-related topics for peer-to-peer learning programs.

Participants looked closely at municipalities, businesses, local community initiatives and how these groups work together in managing water in vulnerable coastal regions.

One panelist told the students the technology for improving water quality is widely available. However, sometimes  government funding for projects remains the greatest obstacle.

The panelists were Mark Parent, Nova Scotia's former minister of the environment and labour, Stephen King, retired manager of the Halifax Regional Municipality's Sustainable Environment Management Office, Bill Borland, chair of the Canadian Water Network and community groups from the municipality of East Hants.

"Our main goals with regards to the workshops are to facilitate relationship-building and idea-sharing," said Victoria Goodday, the project co-ordinator. "Seeing youth engage directly with these usually inaccessible individuals was inspiring! It was a great example of inter-generational learning at work," she said.

Activities throughout the weekend brought the students, young professionals and panelists together by participating in musical nights and rafting trips in addition to the structured portion of the conference.

"I know at least a few participants made practical, useful professional connections while at the workshop. I hope they will follow up on these opportunities," said Goodday.

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