Speakers
Frank van Weert (Wetlands International) and Maarten Onneweer (RAIN)
Date
April 16, 2015 13:00 GMT
Description:
Rainwater for food security (Rain4food)
‘Rainwater for Food Security’ is a programme that sets an enabling environment for rainwater harvesting (RWH), in order to significantly increase food security. With help of the community on Rainwater Harvesting, it supports the development of a more unified global network of national and regional organisations, networks and professionals, working in or interested in rainwater harvesting. By bringing together these key-actors and sharing knowledge in multiple ways, the Rainwater for Food Security programme aims to achieve sustainable change in rainwater harvesting programmes.
Constructed wetlands in an urban and industrial context
What are constructed wetlands? And how can they delay drainage, retain, infiltrate and in particular purify water? In addition, various bio-chemical processes are related to these kind of wetlands. How do you operate them and which costs are associated with it? The presentation will also focus on both the co-benefits of constructed wetlands – like biodiversity improvement and the beautification of the landscape – and the potential negative side effects.
3R using a landscape approach
The 3R (Recharge, Retention and Reuse) approach has the ability to make a difference by making optimal use of the ground- and rainwater available in a particular area. By improving local water management practices for multiple purposes, people are given the means and confidence to increase their food security and improve their livelihoods. The second speaker will explain how 3R can be used taken into account the landscape and environment.
About the Speakers:
Frank van Weert (Frank.vanWeert@wetlands.org) has an MSc in Hydrology (Utrecht University & Free University of Amsterdam) and a Master in Gender, Social Inclusion and Rural Development (Larenstein University of Professional Wageningen). He currently works for Wetlands International, a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. Prior to his current position he has work at Arcadis and TU Delft. In addition, he has world in many regions around the globe, including Mali, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Tanzania.
Maarten Onneweer (onneweer@rainfoundation.org) works for the RAIN foundation as a programme officer Uganda and Kenya. He is currently finishing a PhD on the history of water development technology and community development in the Kitui district of Kenya and has studied cultural anthropology and development sociology. Additionally, Maarten has lectured on development anthropology, nature management, political ecology, and gender at several Dutch universities.
Presentations
