Water & environment 2011: CIWEM's annual conference

Background

The current trend toward austerity, whilst at the same time delivering front line services, is a major global challenge. Funding for projects will be more restricted, demanding novel and innovative solutions. We are facing a new financial reality which will focus our efforts towards achieving our aims for sustainability and environmental gains with decreasing funding.

The UK coalition government has launched a "Big Society" programme intended to "take power away from politicians and give it to the people".  The programme includes giving communities more power, transferring power from central to local government - 'localism', using 'third sector' resources to deliver government programmes and giving wider public access to government data. This programme will create opportunities and challenges for the environment sector and society as a whole.

In April 2011, CIWEM will hold a two-day Annual Conference that will address multidisciplinary issues across all areas of the global water and environment sector and will also focus on the issue of the "Big Society" and the implications for the environment sector.

The aim of the conference is to challenge and inspire the water and environmental community by sharing knowledge and best practice, which is at the heart of meeting key global challenges. There will be a mix of keynote speakers, offered papers, exhibitions and networking opportunities that will make this the key event for water and environment professionals.