Theme: Systems Thinking in Environmental Management
7-8 October 2015

Let's look at the water systems – flowing and standing, below and above ground – in the Orange River catchment in particular, and in Africa in general.

Too many of our decisions are made on an ad hoc basis. We make convenient assumptions, and workable decisions. But if they're wrong, we have no basis for rethinking our decisions, nor can we assume that the decision will continue to be workable.

So we have to understand systems – inputs, outputs, drivers, modifiers, etc. – as best we can. Systems are complex and while we can try to explain or reduce the complexity, we must at all costs avoid making systems complicated.

We would like presentations and attendance from a full spectrum of water people – from researchers trying to make sense of complex processes in dynamic systems, like rivers, lakes and temporary waters, to practitioners trying to manage water bodies or water works, where changing conditions create ever-changing management requirements.

Characteristic of the Orange River catchment, like large parts of Africa, is its huge and changing climatic variability. Yet we need to manage, conserve and preserve the water for continued human well-being.

The questions are many, so the Symposium will be a very useful forum for the exchange of views and questions.

Join us and improve your network of valuable contacts.

Venue

University of the Free State
Bloemfontein
South Africa

Programme and registration fees

Day 1: 7 October : R1 400,00
Day 2: 8 October : R1 400,00

Click here for registration form.