Débat d'idées
Water at war
Wednesday, 15 February 2011, 7.00pm
M. L. Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Francaise de Delhi
Keynote Address:
Frédéric Bobin, Journalist, Permanent Correspondent Le Monde (France)
Chairperson:
Anita Inder Singh, Professor at Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution,
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Speakers:
François Stamm, Head of Delegation in India, Red Cross (ICRC)
B. G. Verghese, Veteran media person and Fellow, Centre for Policy Research
The 2012 Water Series will continue in March 2012 with World Water Day on the lawns of UN House (55 Lodi Estate) and on 18 April 2012 with Water for All/All for Water! Our second round table at Alliance Française.
Alliance Francaise de Delhi is proud to present the series of event which revolves around the problem of water in India and in the world. The official launch will take place on 15th February. The first event- with the astounding title- Water at war will have a debate regarding water management in India and in other strategic regions of the world.
Water, like religion and ideology, has the power to move million of people. Since the very birth of human civilization, people have moved to settle close to water. People fight over it. And all people, everywhere and every day, need it. But we stand today on the brink of a global water crisis. The two major legacies of the 20th Century - the population and technological explosions - have taken their toll on our water supply. More people lack drinking water today than they did two decades ago. More and more freshwater sources are being used-up and contaminated. Modern technologies have allowed us to harness much of the world's water for energy, industry and irrigation - but often at a terrible social and environmental price - and many traditional water conservation practices have been discarded along the way.
Most of the solutions to the crisis must be developed and implemented locally, and always with the view that water is not to be taken for granted, or unjustly appropriated by particular groups for particular needs. Just as we are moved by water, we must move quickly in order to save it.
These events will be organized in collaboration with the United Nations, the European Union and the International Red Cross.
Supported by Veolia Water India.
