IFNet_Newsletter

IFNet Newsletter Vol. 11
February 20.2003 / IFNet secretariat

		- Toward Establishment of IFNet -
	1.	Introduction of Flood Group Sessions (1/2)
	2.	Introduction of Flood Group Sessions (2/2)

Introduction of Flood Group Sessions (1/2)

March 18

Opening Plenary	The Opening Plenary starts with the Opening Address by Dr. Arthur Askew (former Director of WMO). An outline of "Flood Days" is explained. This Plenary includes the presentation about "Floods in the World" and some Keynote Speeches by Ministers.
Integrated Flood Management	The session will focus on Integrated Flood Management (IFM), which is an approach to flood management that promotes the view that floods should be managed within the context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The presentations included in the session will demonstrate real examples of how IFM could be implemented in the field. As the session on 'Reducing the socio-economic vulnerability of flood-prone areas of South Asia' is closely related to the concept of IFM, it will be convened in conjuction with the IFM session.
Peole, Flood and Vulnerability Reduction: the Case of South Asia
Sediment-related Issues	This session looks at the influence of sediment yield on stabilizing/preserving water resources required for industrial development; the loss of life and property/damage to primary traffic networks by large scale sediment-related disasters due to abnormal weather/global warming;large scale sediment-related disasters in volcanic areas; and the mounting crisis of sediment-related disasters from population growth in susceptible areas.
Flood control measures on the Kamo River in Kyoto, a Historical City	The Kamo River is located in Kyoto, historical city. In this session, we look at some of the major attempts to tame the River's exuberance and review the flood-damage and river-improvement works, after which we would like to discuss various flood control measures in Kyoto and planning for the future.
Poverty and Floods	The purpose of this session is to formulate appropriate means of reducing the vulnerability of on lessons learned from international development cooperation in the Asian region; and from four regional workshops held on the subject of Poverty and Floods as part of initiative for the 3rd World Water Forum.
Flood Mitigation	This session will focus on Floods, River Basin Management, International Collaboration, and Dissemination of Information. Learning from past experience by sharing information helps to mitigate flood damage. Herein we shall introduce mitigation measures, facilitate information exchange among organizations concerned, and promote the importance of well-organized structural and nonstructural measures to participants.

Issued by IFNet Preparatory Unit, "Water in Rivers"
Secretariat e-mail: waterinrivers@idi.or.jp

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Introduction of Flood Group Sessions (2/2)

March 18 & 19 Urban Floods Risk Mitigation

Session Title	Contents
Cities and Flood risks	There is a strong need to increase global learning and communication between and within urbanThere is a strong need to increase global learning and communication between and within urban stakeholders to develop innovative approaches to water management and spatial development in densely populated areas. For this purpose, a global round table at the end of the first day will share lessons learned by different stakeholders and fomulate recommendations to enhance communication and learning within and between different stakeholders. The panel discussion at the end of the second day will formula an agenda for concrete follow-up actions in the field of research,policy influencing,and development of holistic design criteria and formation of communities of Practise. At the end of panel discussion pertnershps will be launched.
Recurrent Floods inCities of Latin America
Flood MItigation in Urban Areas
Spatial Development on water and wetlands in Europe

March 19

Session Title	Contents
Integrated Flood Management in Deltas and Low-land River Regions	Governmental departments,in charge of flood management, will get the core attention in their duty of integrated flood management in their countries.By learning from practices developed elsewhere, the departments can better define what to do. Issues taken up here include:establishing a cooperative networks between the departments in Argentina,Bangladesh,China,The Netherlands,Vietnam and the USA;exchanging best practices;and formulating a "Route to go"to improving flood management and erosion control in the future.
International Flood Network(IFNet)	The International FloodNetwork(IFNet) sets out to facilitate international cooperation in flood management to reduce loss of life and damage from floods and environmental degradation,　and bring about a safe and sustainable development in the future. In this session, we discuss the concept, charter, activities and necessity of IFNet, as well as the Global Flood Alert System.
Flood Warning Dissemination	The session will highlight the potential of flood forecasting and warning as an efficient,inexpensive and environmentally friendly flood mitigation measure.It will focus on the dissemination of warnings, which should receive more attention, while also covering relevant international experience,technological possibilities, and the need to focus on warning dissemination.
Wrap Up Plenary	At the Wrap Up Plenary, session conveners report on the results of their sessions. The Intemational Flood Network(IFNet) will be officially iaunched and start its activities. At the end of the Plenary,Dr.Askew will issue the Flood Group Statement for submission to the Ministerial Conference.

We have printed "Flood Days" posters and brochures.
Please let us know if you need some.

Issued by IFNet Preparatory Unit, "Water in Rivers"
Secretariat e-mail: waterinrivers@idi.or.jp

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