Scan Magazine – August 2018

48 | Issue 115 | August 2018

Scan Magazine | Businesss Feature | World Water Week

As the problems concerning access to water increase, so too do the possibilities

for solutions. World Water Week, convened by Swedish International Water Institute

(SIWI), is encouraging the private sector to take on a larger role as the forum moves

to the modern multi-purpose stadium, Tele2 Arena. Driven by experiences and

perspectives from all over the world, the forum provides an opportunity for ground-

breaking ideas and actions, focussed on one of today’s most difficult challenges.

By Hanna Stjernström | Photos: World Water Week

Did you know that, according to the 2030

Water Resources Group, the demand for

water is expected to exceed supply by

around 40 per cent by 2030? Such a sce-

nario would leave nothing and no one

unaffected. The problem is further high-

lighted by the current water scarcity that

leaves over two billion people living in

countries with high water stress. “Access

to fresh water is one of the world’s big-

gest challenges,” says Gabriela Suhoschi,

director of World Water Week and Prizes

at SIWI. The challenges with water and

the effects of the changing climate have

been particularly notable over the past

few months. “Scandinavia has had the

warmest summer in 260 years, with a lack

of substantial rain since May,” Suhoschi

notes. “And, although we are a water-rich

region, this has led to a situation that we

are not used to or prepared for.” The con-

sequence, she stresses, is that we must

change our relationship with water.

Water, ecosystems and human de-

velopment

However, there is hope. World Water Week

is an annual forum dedicated to gather-

ing experts, decision-makers and young

professionals with the aim of developing

solutions for water-related challenges.

This year’s event marks the 28th in a row,

A venue for water

and will address water, ecosystems and

human development, taking place 26–31

August in Stockholm, Sweden.

SIWI built the foundation for World Water

Week in 1991, with three water-themed

and interlinked events: The Stockholm

Water Festival, which celebrated water;

the Stockholm Water Symposium, which

focused on global water challenges; and

the Stockholm Water Prize, which was

awarded in recognition of exception-

al achievement by H.M. King Carl XVI

Gustaf of Sweden.

With time, the festival and symposium

have evolved into World Water Week,

which has, in parallel with the increasing

magnitude of water-related challenges,

raised the voice of driven and passionate

providers of solutions and innovations

from all over the world. “We are creat-

ing a collaborative and inclusive learning

experience,” says Suhoschi, highlight-

ing that the main focus is on promoting

World Water Week’s new home from 2019 – Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.