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International Water Experts converge on the Tyne

04 August 2010

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Over 200 international experts attended the British Hydrological Society’s International Symposium hosted by Newcastle University in July.  One of the focal themes of the week was ‘Hydrology in the Community’ and Tyne Rivers Trust, played a major role in the event, promoting sustainable management of the Tyne river system and catchment.    The Symposium provided an opportunity for the world’s leading river experts to discuss scientific issues related to the practicalities of managing rivers, including climate change and flood risk.  One of the ‘big issues’ at present is the degree to which river stakeholders should be entrusted with a much bigger say in the allocation of all resources connected with water: this is where Tyne Rivers Trust comes in.

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The Trust’s Director, Prof. Malcolm Newson was on the Symposium organising group.  Over the course of the week he convened a session of papers by internationally acclaimed authors relating communities to their river, guided 70 delegates on a coach tour offering water experts from around the world a chance to see Tynedale, explore management issues such as fish passage and witness the interactions between the river and its local people, such as the River Watch group activities in Corbridge.  He was also invited to give the banquet speech at St James’ Park.    ‘Every water expert knows, even if they won’t admit it, that it is the users of river systems who best understand the human benefits of a sound ecosystem and are therefore in the best position to advise on, or at least debate, sustainable management.’

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