Environmental problems do not stop at national borders. They are international, of global significance and demonstrate the interdependence of the industrialized and the developing countries. Therefore the project area water has taken up the topics addressed and the resolutions adopted at recent large international conferences, consciously adopting the Agenda 21 principles. By combining environmental and developmental concerns, it is hoped to promote sustained efforts for the protection and management of the world's ecosystems.

Drawing together what have traditionally been separate techniques and disparate elements of knowledge concerning hygiene, health, irrigation, drinking-water production, rainwater utilization and waste-water treatment will help bring increased influence to bear on future planning decisions in the environmental sector.

In the project area water, particular importance has been attached to the interplay between scientific development and social change. For instance, water-supply projects can radically alter living conditions for the inhabitants of countries where water is scarce, thus leading to changes affecting these societies as a whole. In this context, it is impossible to consider the interaction between science and society without taking into account international, interdisciplinary and feminist approaches, so the basic principles behind ifu really came into their own here.

What is Water?

Water consists of oxygen and hydrogen - water is the reason for the earth's blue colouring - water and atmospheric oxygen are the most important foundation of all life on this planet - water is a symbol of beginning, motion and change, of peace, but also of the diluvial end of all existence - WATER IS LIFE !

Deans

The major focal points

Water distribution and water uses

• Migration, availability of water; uses for cooking, cleaning, producing food, fishery etc.; interrelation with culture, religion; water-storage, rain water recharging; floods, inundation and their origins

Water quality and wastewater treatment

• Regulations according to water use; in relation to the geographical conditions; water contamination, health and environmental conditions; water treatment; governmental policies towards water services, standards and regulations, conditions for different water uses and how are they defined and by whom?

River Catchment Management

• Geophysical, climatological, ecological basis; input-output; history, cultural and religious importance; regional interdependence; degree of centralisation in management