New IDA conference explores development of desalination technology for social responsibility; deadline for submitting abstracts extended to February 28, 2011
The International Desalination Association (IDA) announced that it will present a three-day conference in Santa Margherita Portofino, Italy focusing on desalination and social responsibility.
‘Development of Desalination Technology for Social Responsibility’ will take place May 16-18, 2011 at the Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Italy. This first-of-a-kind event will be supported by Rotary International and held in cooperation with the European Desalination Society (EDS), IDA’s European affiliate.
The conference programme will include focus on the topic of water as a basic human need and the ability of the desalination industry to respond quickly during crises, and also to provide water at more affordable and sustainable prices. Sessions will address water pricing as well as public and private sector involvement in providing relief to growing water needs. The conference will include a special session on rapid deployment of desalination resources in the event of natural disasters or humanitarian crises around the world.
Funds raised for this conference will be donated to support a humanitarian project aiming to address severe water issues in Ankiloloaka, Madagascar, where a population of over 100,000 – 50% of whom are children – is badly affected by water scarcity.
Together with Rotary International, IDA is soliciting presentations from industry and related NGOs on how the desalination community can be more responsive to human needs for potable water. IDA invites papers on the following topics:
• Regional reports on water shortages and strategies to counter them
• Sustainability and affordability of desalination
• Renewable desalination
• Efficiency improvements
• Public-private partnerships and policies for future efficiency improvements
• Solutions to emergency response
• Portable and mobile desalination units
• Innovative technologies for desalination and water treatment
• Best management practices for providing immediate responses to water crises
The deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended to February 28. Interested presenters are invited to submit their abstracts for consideration through IDA’s website www.idadesal.org.
“On a routine basis, desalination provides new and sustainable sources of water to a thirsty planet. During crises, it has also helped save countless lives. Our goal is that this conference serves as a forum to discuss ways in which the industry can respond quickly, efficiently and effectively to addressing both immediate and longer term needs,” said Patricia Burke, Secretary General of the International Desalination Association.
Burke noted that, as an example, the conference will examine the initiation of a database of resources, companies, foundations and other organisations that have portable desalination equipment that can be made available to people in crisis situations.
“We will also focus on coordinating with humanitarian organisations such as the Rotary International, Red Cross, Red Crescent and others to establish efficient and clear protocols and communications to ensure a coordinated effort. It would be important to establish cooperation agreements to facilitate the logistics and guarantee the safety of response teams on the ground and deployment of mobile desalination units to areas in need. Finally, we will consider ways to help disaster victims and local authorities by providing the technical expertise available within IDA’s membership,” she added.
