What is your vision for the future of the World Water Week?
First, we do not have an ambition to grow into another mega-conference. We will maintain the format and size of the Week because we want to preserve an environment where people can interact and engage with each other. We do not want the event to grow into a place where a huge amount of people are simply staying under the same roof: we want the World Water Week individuals can interact and minds can meet in a genuine way. This part of our vision for the Week, which has built over the past decade, will not change.
But there are many other elements that can be further developed. We want to strengthen the dialogue between groups that still do not completely connect. In particular, we need to build a better platform to enable a more effective dialogue between the scientific community and policy-makers. It is, of course, not just the World Water Week in Stockholm faces this challenge, but we believe this to be an area where we can continue to do better. It is also our priority to involve even more representatives from outside the water community. It is well known that the root of many of the water challenges we face come from activities that take place in other sectors of society. Yet, water specialists still tend to speak most often to other water specialists about what needs to be done. We will strive to create a more productive dialogue between those working with water directly and those whom impact its use.
Looking ahead to the Rio+20 meeting that will take place in 2012, do you see this as a chance to build the dialogue between the water community and other sectors?
The outcome of the Rio+20 and the preparations leading up to the meeting are very important for the water community. Though some of our colleagues working with water may be upset that water has not been specifically highlighted as one of themes at the Rio +20, I believe that the focus on building green economies offers an opportunity to demonstrate the importance that water issues have in any economy, regardless of whether it is green or not. Water runs through the economic activities of all societies, from food and energy production to transport, industry, and urban development. At the Rio +20 in 2012, we in the water community must take advantage of the chance to connect with those who operate “outside the water box” and ensure a productive outcome from Summit.
How will the World Water Week connect with the preparations for the Rio+20?
At the 2011 World Water Week, we will host a dialogue with representatives from governments, UN bodies and international organizations to discuss what we would like to see as an output from the Rio+20 process. This discussion may also focus on water’s role within different sectors, such as agriculture and energy. We also believe that we can build upon this in other meetings that will follow throughout the next year, where we can build consensus and political momentum leading up to the Summit in Rio.
Do you see any emerging opportunities for UN-Water members to be more involved in the planning of the World Water Week?
The active participation of both individual UN agencies and UN-Water as a collective group is invaluable to the success of the World Water Week. We are very happy with the strong involvement of many UN agencies both during and in the preparation for the event. Beyond taking part during the Week itself, many UN-Water members also serve in various committees that are responsible for the planning of the Week. We look forward to continue to work closely with UN-Water members in the planning of each of the World Water Weeks to come, and in particular, those agencies and organizations who are working within the area of the theme selected each year. Next year, for example, we look forward to UN-Habitat and many others to be actively engaged as we convene under the theme "Responding to Global Changes - Acting on the Urban Challenge". In 2012, we will certainly work closely with FAO and others working on food security challenges. We wish to continue to work with the UN agencies in many aspects of the Week.
Contacts:
Anders Berntell
anders.berntell@siwi.org
Anders Berntell is the Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute, a Stockholm based policy institute best known for its work as the organizer of the annual World Water Week in Stockholm. Following the 20th anniversary of the World Water Week in Stockholm this past September, we asked Anders to share his vision for the future of the Week in the years to come. 
