Global Water Futures Workshop One: Policy Solutions

On February 8-9, 2005, the CSIS Global Strategy Institute in conjunction with Sandia National Laboratories hosted leading experts and leaders in the government, private sector, and nongovernmental organization community for a discussion on innovative policy approaches for the U.S. Government to address global water issues. The workshop was the first step in a broader effort to identify areas in which the United States can innovate in the way it formulates its international water policy and in the way it deploys technologies. A second event focusing on innovations in technology was held March 8-9, 2005.

The basic framework of this first workshop addressed the questions of why global water challenges are a strategic concern for the United States, what are the priority areas for moving forward, and how can the U.S. Government partner with other types of social organizations. The following summaries highlight the main ideas heard from the speakers and panels.

Day One: February 8, 2005

World's Water on Countdown
Erik R. Peterson, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Peter B. Davies, Sandia National Laboratories.

Erik Peterson and Peter Davies kicked off the first workshop of the Global Water Futures conference with a presentation outlining the dimensions of the global water challenge and proposing paths forward.

Strategic Reasons for U.S. Action
Claudia Sadoff, World Bank
Sandra Postel, Global Water Policy Project

The first panel began by identifying the characteristics of nations and regions that face the most difficult challenges in supplying water for future generations.

Framing Solutions: Options for Action
Jerome Delli Priscolli, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacob Scherr, National Resources Defense Council
Janice Beecher, Michigan State University
Gordon Binder, Aqua Partners International

The second panel was tasked with answering the "how" question – how should the United State proceed in addressing global water issues?

Day Two: February 9, 2007

Distinguished Morning Remarks for February 9:
Steven R. Loranger, President, Chairman and CEO, ITT Industries, Inc.

Steven R. Loranger identified the conditions essential for innovation, including the need to think longer term and have a global vision in order to see global linkages.

Framing Solutions: Building Partnerships
Jeff Seabright, The Coca-Cola Company
Greg Allgood, Procter & Gamble Company
Steve Werner, Water For People
Amb. John McDonald, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
Karin Krchnak, Council for Sustainable Development, Freshwater Caucus

The final panel discussed partnerships between the private sector, government, nongovernmental organization, and multi-lateral institutions in developing and implementing water projects across the world.