Summary and conclusions from the SIWI young professionals workshop - Hydrosolidarity intergenerational challenges: long-term commitment for long-termissues

The year 2000 Young Professionals Seminar focused on long-term intergenerat ional challenges. Water related problems are symptoms of complex and ultima tely societal problems linked to human behaviour, political support and man agerial and institutional structures. Although integrated water resources m anagement is presented as a solution, it is not always well understood, and can create a sense of hopelessness among professionals. To make ii operati onal requires long-term commitments among various professionals and the inv olvement of new actors. A number of key topics crystallised as needing furt her attention, including ethical dimensions in policy making. the developme nt of a framework for a "Future Generation Impact Assessment" (FGIA), and e fforts to achieve true dialogue among stakeholders. Young water professiona ls must become more involved in political processes and take active part in institutional changes. Such engagement will require changes in the working environment facing many young professionals that causes frustration due to inefficient and conservative hierarchical structures and the lack of trans parency.