International Water Week 2011 in Amsterdam

The International Water Week consists of a range of interesting events and meetings for professionals in water technology and water management. It includes the internationally renowned Aquatech Amsterdam trade exhibition and Aquaterra, the world forum on delta and coastal development. In addition to that, Integrated Aqua Solutions (a unique showcase of prestigious and innovative water projects) will premiere during the International Water Week.

The International Water Association (IWA), together with the Royal Netherlands Waternetwerk and Waternet, will organise a number of conferences on water technology and water management.

Global Water Intelligence (GWI) will host workshops on the Water Framework Directive, the most significant new regulation to come out of the EU in the past two decades. GWI addresses the implications of the Water Framework Directive by bringing together from across Europe the people who really understand the directive, for two different workshops.

The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), the network organisation for the Dutch water sector, supports the International Water Week with a variety of programmatic elements. They will co-ordinate the Dutch water sector's input in the various components of the International Water Week (conferences, excursions, delegations, activities) and showcase several interesting Dutch water sector projects and programmes.

The Dutch have lived below sea level since the Middle Ages. Securing land and lives against water, whether it flows from the sea or from rivers in the hinterland, has been a challenge they have faced for centuries. At the same time, water has brought the Netherlands a comfortable lifestyle and a thriving economy. This Dutch heritage has evolved into the world's most renowned knowledge and expertise in the world of water.

The country offers a small-scale but real-time showcase of the accomplishments that are possible when good water technology meets good water management. During the International Water Week, technical tours and excursions will be organised to visit some of the marvels of Dutch engineering.

Partners, participants, visitors and delegates of the International Water Week will come together next year November to shape the future of their region in the world, making use of the risks and opportunities that water offers. They will come away prepared for the changes of the coming century, making sure they can adapt to the challenges ahead.