Science

Asia-Pacific Youth Parliament for Water

A unique approach to the emerging academic discourse on transnational water issues is offered by the Korea Water Forum’s project “Asia-Pacific Youth Parliament for Water” (APYPW), which was supported by the Wilo-Foundation through a “Young Water Award” over a period of five years.

Creating Caring Connecting

Asia

South Korea

Seoul, Andong

Funding period: 2013-2017

To raise awareness among young researchers about the transboundary water issues in Asia and to encourage their involvement in developing solutions, the Summer School “Asia-Pacific Youth Parliament for Water” (APYPW) was established. This educational program by the Korea Water Forum (KWF) was held annually from 2012 to 2017 in cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Environment—in recent years in the city of Andong, known as South Korea’s “water hub.” The Wilo-Foundation supported the Summer School for five years, which annually welcomed 100 students from over 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and attended the conference on site.

Founder Dr.-Ing. E. h. Jochen Opländer with the President of the Korea Water Forum at the opening of the new Wilo plant in Busan, South Korea (2013). Photo: WILO SE

The Summer School students presented the water-related challenges of their home countries through “Country Reports” in a poster exhibition. Photo: Korea Water Forum (KWF), Seoul, South Korea

Around 80 selected young students and graduates from countries in the Asia-Pacific region came together in a series of events structured as a Summer School to discuss solutions for the global challenges related to the resource water. The event was designed like a parliament: participants formed delegations and commissions that worked across national borders on water-specific solution approaches, which they presented and subsequently discussed in individual commission sessions.

The participants of the second “Asia-Pacific Youth Parliament for Water” jointly discussed solution approaches to the global challenges related to the resource water. Photo: Korea Water Forum (KWF), Seoul, South Korea

The 2016 award winners from Korea, Myanmar, and Indonesia were congratulated by the Managing Director of Wilo Korea. Photo: Korea Water Forum (KWF), Seoul, South Korea

Lectures and discussions by international water experts also provided valuable impulses and inspiration. The highlight of the APYPW was the joint plenary session and final declaration, in which the participants issued a recommendation to combat water pollution and waste, and to promote efficient water supply and usage.

The Wilo-Foundation awarded the “Young Water Award” to students who presented particularly efficient and sustainable workshop results. The prize included a trip to Germany at the invitation of the Wilo-Foundation, during which the winners visited various water projects and Wilo sites.

Photo Header: Korea Water Forum (KWF), Seoul

Our funding partner

The Korea Water Forum (KWF), Seoul, is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by former Prime Minister Dr. HAN Seung-soo. The organization has defined four main goals: the development of a platform for stakeholders in the global water sector, the promotion of in-depth discussions on the global challenges of water management, the dissemination of knowledge and experience, the search for answers to international water management issues, and the strengthening of awareness of the importance of water management among policymakers and the public. To achieve these goals, KWF supports various research projects, initiates local and global forums, workshops, and symposia to foster national and international exchange and networking. Its flagship initiatives include: World Water Council, World Water Forum, Water Education Programs, and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?