Water in Africa: Hydro-Pessimism or Hydro-Optimism?

Centre of African Studies - Porto, Portugal

2-3 October 2008

How are water resources being managed in Africa? What are the main
challenges concerning access, distribution and allocation of freshwater
resources in the continent? What are the driving forces that shape
current and future demand for water? What are the solutions being
developed by communities, policy-makers, private sector and
environmental activists? What are water scientists and international
donor organisations contributing?

Pessimists highlight water scarcity and insecurity, water inequity and
the conflict potential at local and regional levels. They forecast a
gloomy future for Africa. Can they be wrong?

Optimists emphasise the potential of improved water management
practices, water policy reforms and socially, economically and
environmentally sustainable policies. They argue that local adaptive
capacities can be enhanced and regional hydropolitical cooperation can
be established. Water optimists believe in windows of opportunity to
improve water resources management and that Africa's water crises
can be addressed. Can they be right?

The Centre of African Studies invites researchers and practitioners to
contribute with water management experiences and case-studies from the
diverse regions of Africa, and to participate in a wide debate on
hydro-pessimism and hydro-optimism in the African context.

Call for Abstracts

Authors are invited to submit an abstract of 250 words by the 30th April
2008, containing the following information:

§ Proposed title

§ Authors' names

§ Contact address (institution, email and telephone)

§ Paper proposal

§ Keywords

Presentations can be submitted in English, French or Portuguese.
Abstracts will be reviewed by a Scientific Committee, and authors will
be notified by email of acceptance or refusal of their proposals by the
end of June 2008. Accepted papers can be published in the Conference
Proceedings (paper and CD/ROM formats). There are no registration fees.

All abstracts must be submitted via email to ana.cascao@kcl.ac.uk

For additional information contact:

Centro de Estudos Africanos

Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto

Via Panorâmica s/n 4150-564 Porto – Portugal

Email: ceaup@letras.up.pt

Website: http://www.africanos.eu

Tel./Fax: +351 22 607 71 41