The University of Oklahoma International WaTER Conference is hosted by the Water Technologies for Emerging Regions (WaTER) Center as part of a broader mission to promote peace through sustainable WASH solutions.
The International WaTER Conference is designed to bring together participants from multiple disciplines world-wide in response to the UN Millennium Development Goals of bringing water and sanitation to emerging regions. The bi-annual event offers attendees a forum for sharing experiences and discussing challenges and solutions.
Two full days of presentations and networking opportunities include oral and poster sessions that address water related topics, such as assessment of WASH interventions, behavior change, climate change, fluoride effects and mitigation, gender and social equity, hydro-philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and water technologies for emerging regions.
The conference provides otopportunities for attendees including keynote speeches from leading WASH professionals, panel discussions on relevant WASH topics, related outreach programs for local school-aged children and post-conference workshops.
A goal of the conference planners is to provide attendees opportunities for collaborative and informative gatherings to foster sustainable WASH solutions through integrating technology, business and social understanding.
The highlight of the conference occurs at the banquet, where the International Water Prize is awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of water supply and sanitation for developing regions.
The conference attracts water and sanitation experts, students, and other interested participants from academia, industry, NGOs, governments and foundations representing countries from around the world, all with the common goal of bringing water and sanitation to developing regions.
The OU International Water Prize recognizes and honors an individual who has made significant international contributions, either through research or teaching or service activities, in the field of water supply and sanitation, with a focus on the world's poorest living in developing countries.
The Prize is a biennial award sponsored by the WaTER Center at the University of Oklahoma and made possible by generous gifts from alumni and friends. The winner receives a $25,000 cash reward, one of the first and largest prizes dedicated to the field of water supply and sanitation in remote areas of emerging regions.
Dr. Dawn Martin
Martha Gebeyehu
Eric Stowe
Peter Lochery
Ada Oko-Williams
Ben Fawcett
Dr. Stephen Luby
