Conference will address global drought, conservation


LAWRENCE — The international area studies centers at the University of Kansas have announced the conference Global Water: Drought, Conservation and Security In The 21st Century, set for April 12-13 at The Commons in Spooner Hall. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

From sub-Saharan Africa to India to the American Midwest, rural and urban communities are attempting to deal with drought conditions and conserve water. This conference will address the various approaches and topics related to water and resolving the technical, social, political and environmental issues associated with the use and sustainability of this precious resource.

Featured speakers for the conference include Anupam Mishra, renowned author, journalist, Gandhian grass-roots environmentalist and water conservationist from India; Karen Flournoy, director for Water, Wetlands and Pesticides Division, Region 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency; and W. Christopher King, dean of academics, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Panel discussions will include representatives from organizations such as Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets, Central Plains Center for BioAssessment, Engineers Without Borders at KU as well as KU international area studies centers and the KU Environmental Studies Program. Topics covered will include water conservation, sustainable sanitation, runoff management and the impact of drought.

Two special campus activities are planned in conjunction with the global water conference. The Spencer Museum of Art has mounted a dynamic exhibition titled “Conversation XIV: Water” that will be on view through July 28 in the museum’s 20/21 Gallery Conversation Wall. The exhibition contains works from the Spencer’s permanent collection and explores contemporary artists’ perspectives on water. On Saturday, April 6, a free educator workshop, “World Environment,” will take place at Spooner Hall (registration required; email for more information.)

The conference is sponsored by Center for Global & International Studies, Center for East Asian Studies, Center of Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, Kansas African Studies Center, KU Environmental Studies Program and The Commons.

The conference will take place 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 12-13. See schedule and registration information here.

Fri, 03/29/2013

author

Jessica Irving

Media Contacts

Jessica Irving

Center for Global & International Studies

785-864-1120