Dirk Janssen Selects Next Young Water Professionals Ambassador

For Dirk Janssen, being the YWP ambassador was an excellent way to bring together the generations. "It is essential that more young people become active in the water industry," he says. "We dare to dream new dreams and think beyond boundaries. The young are not only the present but very much the future too. The next generation can bring a fresh perspective with an unconventional mind-set that enables them to think outside the box."

Dirk feels the responsibility to ensure that our water use is not at the expense of the next generation but to its advantage. "The entire water sector is responsible not only for technical solutions on water issues but also to create the dialogue and support from the local authorities and people," he adds.

Special IWW programme for the next generation.

The Young Water Professional Programme is a special part of the International Water Week, an event designed to bring together business, non-profit organisations, government and scientists to highlight the entire water cycle. It will highlight the challenges faced by the water sector, the opportunities it offers and ways in which young people can become involved. Activities include the Industrial Leaders Forum, featuring DSM, Shell, Rabobank and Unilever; Wetskills Innovation challenge, a two-week event for 40 students from around the world who will develop their own innovative and creative solutions to water issues; the Water Movie Challenge has asked young people from all over the world to make films explaining the journey of a drinking water-drop and the Young Scientist Workshop which is an intensive, five-day scientific event for PhD students and young international professionals from the water industry and public organisations. The topic concerns the provision of water systems in urban areas, a cross-cutting topic covering water management, water supply, sanitation and spatial planning.