Imperatives for effective transboundary water governance in Africa discussed

9 December 2013

 
Miss Laura Danga

Dr Chikozho was also one of the main discussants (hydro-sociologist) on the new science plan of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences entitled ‘Panta Rhei—Everything Flows: Change in Hydrology and Society—The IAHS Scientific Decade 2013–2022’. Commenting on the proposed science plan, Dr Chikozho pointed out that “even though it sounded too good to be true, this is one of the very few strategic plans in which hydrologists and engineers deliberately decide to enlist and incorporate the contribution and collaboration of social scientists in their work-plans. It is therefore, a ground-breaking opportunity that is expected to result in closer collaboration between natural scientists and social scientists over water resources management research and development in Eastern and Southern Africa”.

Dr Chikozho was also requested and agreed to participate in the near future as co-editor for the section on water and society in the special issue of the journal Physics & Chemistry of the Earth, which publishes a selection of papers presented at the Annual Waternet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium.

This Symposium has been held annually in Eastern and Southern Africa since 1999. The series of symposia have helped to forge a regional family of water professionals concerned with the use of water, and has become the key annual event in water research in East and Southern Africa. The 2013 edition of the Symposium was hosted by the University of Dar es Salaam’s Department of Water Resources Engineering. Participants came from various countries, including those in East and Southern Africa, Belgium, Canada, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. The event was also graced by the Republic of Tanzania Minister of Water, Prof Jumanne Maghembe, who gave the welcoming remarks, as well as the Vice-President of the Republic of Tanzania, Dr Gharib Bilal, who officially opened the Symposium.