Description
Young people play an important role in transforming societies, including the scientific community. As lead researchers of tomorrow, their vision for research in the water sector determines how we will study water issues over the next decades. In order to collect and promote the perspectives and ideas of young water researchers, the World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW) Research Group recently launched its global ‘Youth voices on the future of water research’ campaign.
On the occasion of the 9th World Water Forum, currently taking place in Diamniadio (Dakar), Senegal, the WYPW Research Group is publishing its working paper ‘A youth vision for inclusive water research’ today, which summarizes first insights from the campaign and outlines our shared vision of inclusive water research.
This vision is based on three pillars:
- Participatory: Participatory research is close to the communities it concerns. It embraces the principles of transdisciplinarity and provides opportunities for active involvement throughout the research process, from the problem definition to the application of new knowledge.
- Open access: Research and research results need to be open access. This includes sharing research data and making publications freely available to the broader public. The scientific community needs to be open as well, free of barriers that limit the access for young researchers from around the world.
- Future-oriented: Future-oriented research is acutely aware of current and future challenges, like climate-related stresses in the water sector. It also takes note of future opportunities that can advance our understanding of water and offer practical solutions, for instance related to technological advancements.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL WORKING PAPER HERE.
The first round of video messages by young water researchers are now available via the WYPW’s YouTube channel. Submissions will remain open, and we invite young people around the world to continue to share their visions for water research with us.
Learn more about the ‘Youth voices on the future of water research’ campaign by engaging with our different activities at the World Water Forum’s Youth Space in Senegal:
- March 22, 2022, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (GMT): Roundtable discussion ‘Youth voices on the future of water research’ at the Exchange and Dialogue Arena. The session will be livestreamed via the YouTube channel of the International Secretariat for Water.
- March 22, 2022, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (GMT): Find our poster at the Marketplace in the Interactive Learning Lab!
