Welcome to the 2023 Water and Environment Student Talks (WEST) Conference, jointly hosted by students from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. We are thrilled to embark on the ninth edition of WEST, bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of water researchers from June 14th to 16th, 2023.
Over the past two years, WEST has successfully adapted to an online format in response to the pandemic. We were delighted to connect with students and young professionals from various backgrounds, both locally and internationally. As we move forward to 2023, we have decided to maintain the online format to once again welcome participants from around the world, celebrating the strength that lies within our diversity. However, we are excited to announce that we will also be hosting an in-person day, providing a valuable opportunity for local attendees to engage in face-to-face discussions, collaborate, and expand their networks.
At WEST 2023, themed “Tapping into Water Sustainability,” we gather under the shared belief that interdisciplinary collaborations are vital for finding solutions to our future water challenges and achieving sustainability. These challenges transcend climate science, governmental policies, cultural values, and economics. As future water leaders, it is crucial that we embrace holistic approaches to address these issues directly. The WEST conference serves as a dynamic platform to unite water researchers across diverse disciplines, cultures, and geographical locations. Our aim is to learn from each other’s valuable contributions and foster collaborative efforts that will effectively address our shared water challenges.
The strength of WEST lies in the diversity of academic and cultural experiences that our attendees bring. We encourage you to fully seize this opportunity to learn, network, and make new connections in the field of water. We are genuinely excited to welcome all of you for three days of sharing, learning, and networking in June 2023.
Best regards,
Hiroki Fukuda and Aroshi Senanayake
WEST 2023 Conference Co-Chairs