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Partners
Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge
Have a look at the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge Webinar Series here!
Events
The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge Webinar
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Join a panel of experts to explore the problems and opportunities related to the prevent, remediate, and restore sub-challenge of the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge. What are the constraints that need to be solved? What are the areas for innovation? As a potential applicant, what questions do you have to help you design an innovation in response to the Prevent, Remediate, and Restore sub-challenge?
Read more about the Grand Challenge here:
https://www.artisanalminingchallenge.com/
Panelists:
Dr. Jack Caravanos
Clinical Professor at NYU’s College of Global Public Health
Research Director at Pure Earth
Rose Osinde Alabaster
Water & Environmental Governance Policy Adviser
Advisory Board Member Water Environment & Human Development Initiative WEHDI
Moderator - Barbara Martinez
Open Innovation Director, Conservation X Labs
Webinar participants will have the opportunity to submit written questions during the webinar. You can also send questions ahead of time to water@conservationxlabs.org
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Time:
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Nov 21, 2019 03:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge: Accelerating Breakthrough Innovation for Water, Biodiversity, and People
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- Co-hosted by Conservation X Labs, The Tech Interactive, and the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation
We’re part of a coalition of partners awarding $750,000 in prize money to teams that can help solve some of the water- and conservation-related issues associated with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Innovations submitted in the Grand Challenge may address any material that is mined through ASM.
The Grand Challenge is launching in San Jose at the Tech Interactive on October 2nd!
All are invited to attend the launch event.
What: The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge Global Launch is the official launch of a global innovation competition to find solutions to the environmental and human impacts from artisanal and small scale mining (ASM).
When: Wednesday, October 2nd 2019 from 2:00-6:00pm
Where: The Tech Interactive, San Jose, CA
How: Get your free ticket to attend! bit.ly/ASMlaunchevent
Why: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a critical source of livelihood for an estimated 40+ million people worldwide. While ASM generates wealth in developing countries, ASM practices can cause habitat loss, species’ population decline, poor water quality, hydrological changes, and negative human health & livelihood impacts. Mining is a significant driver of deforestation in the world’s tropical forests, a leading cause of global biodiversity loss.
Learn more: artisanalminingchallenge.com
Publications
Update on the Swiss Water Partnership (SWP) Position Paper on the Importance of Water
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- 56 organisations and 201 individuals call for the importance of water for everyone worldwide
82% of Switzerland’s water footprint is produced outside of Switzerland. This means that most of the water required to produce all the goods and services consumed in our country comes from abroad. Therefore, Switzerland has a shared responsibility in respect of sustainable water management on a global level.
Not only the fact that Switzerland is not immune against water stress due to its dependence on water for consumption and for each living being, but also due to its strong advocacy for water becoming a dedicated SDG and a human right over years show the importance of water for Switzerland and the necessity for coherence in its commitment:
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Together with its members and partners, the Swiss Water Partnership has submitted a joint position paper linked to the public consultation for the Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2021 – 2024: SWP Position Paper on Water.
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The position paper was endorsed by 56 organisations, of which 24 are SWP member organisations, and by 201 individuals, almost all working in the water and sanitation sector. More than two-thirds of the organisations and individuals have stated that their work is related to the Swiss Development cooperation.
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Articles
Prevalence of water-related diseases and groundwater (drinking-water) contamination in the suburban municipality of Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
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- Journal of Environmental Science & Health, Part A
In order to raise public and political awareness about waterborne diseases resulting from the lack of safely managed sanitation systems, our last publication with the universities of Geneva and Kinshasa and WEHDI investigated waterborne diseases resulting from the lack of safely managed sanitation systems in a neighborhood of Kinshasa DRC (Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A). It can be downloaded here.
This study investigates the microbial quality of drinking water from 9 wells and streams used as drinking sources.
The quality status of the studied streams and shallow urban groundwater resources is very poor, considering the high levels of nitrate and the significant faecal contamination of most water sources. The high levels of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and Total Coliforms in drinking water suggest the possible presence of pathogens responsible for persistent and recurrent waterborne diseases in the studied area. These results corroborate our epidemiologic survey which indicates the persistence of waterborne diseases including gastroenteritis disorders, typhoid fever, Entameba, and cholera.
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The combination of our epidemiologic and field surveys show that education, awareness-raising, and the promotion of improved sanitation solutions and hygienic precautions, are necessary to change users’ habits and better protect their natural water resources from bacterial pathogens and organic wastes.