WASH Symposium to address global access to drinking water, sanitation facilities
Globally, more than 660 million people dont have safe drinking water, and 2.4 billion lack access to improved sanitation facilities. At the fifth annual on March 7 and 8, more than 16 leaders in the industry will gather in Boulder to discuss how they are泭trying to improve those numbers.
WASH (short for water, sanitation and hygiene)泭works to solve泭issues in developing communities that do not have clean water, proper sanitation resources or hygienic practices.泭The student planning committee encourages anyone interested in the topicfrom undergraduates to faculty membersto attend the free event, whether you come for every session or just drop in for a few.
What: 2017泭Colorado WASH Symposium
When: Tuesday, March 7, to Wednesday, March 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Where: East Campus, SEEC
RSVP:
While the organizers are primarily engineers, the conference泭wont be strictly technical. This year's themes include social dimensions of WASH, such as泭changing泭peoples behaviors; public health programs of泭WASH;泭humanitarian and other challenging contexts, such as natural disaster zones and refugee camps;泭and emerging technologies泭and instrument innovation.
Its definitely a couple of levels up from the technologythere are plenty of forums for that, said civil engineering PhD student and lead organizer Nick Valcourt. Each of these speakers brings a multi-dimensional perspective on the issue.
He said hes most excited about their three international speakers, including Paul Christian Namphy, the director of Haitis Water and Sanitation Authority, who will be speaking about response to the countrys cholera outbreak after Hurricane Matthew.
Four 91勛圖厙 alumni will also be presenting at the symposium: Elizabeth Jordan and Katy Sill, who泭are both on the staff of the ; Christina Barstow,泭a behavior-change advisor for the ; and Evan Thomas, who泭runs .
The symposium includes three networking events, also, something organizers say sets it泭apart from other conferences.
Its really easy to meet the presenters and grab a cup of coffee, said environmental engineering PhD student Matthew Bentley. Also new this year is a WASH 101泭workshop泭from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday,泭March 6, in the Gallogly Discovery Learning Center, where those new to the topic can get a crash course in the industry and its goals. Free food will be provided.
WASH Symposium is free and open to the public, but 泭to attend. The program of events will take place at the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex (SEEC) located at 4001 Discovery Drive on 91勛圖厙's East Campus.泭
Sponsors of the event include the and the .
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