Arena processes always lead to fascinating encounters, which automatically prompt new action. As such, Jacob Bossaer of BOSAQ and Li An Phoa of Drinkable Rivers were highly intrigued by each other’s stories, and the feeling that they had common ground from their very different perspectives. That is why they wanted to go for a walk on 1 April 2020. Making conversation together, during a walk on the banks of a river somewhere in Flanders. Because the environment in which they were walking would determine the conversation, they found it important and a form of gratitude to share their insights at the end of the day with someone who had helped shape that environment and who, from a policy perspective, might have been able to help with the insights from the walk. Governor Cathy Berx had already agreed to meet Jacob and Li An at the end of a walk along the river Scheldt, and to discuss their results. Unfortunately, this never took place due to corona, but the plan remains.
Jacob and Li-An pencilled in a date for another walk as soon as possible. We are still looking for support for the logistics, in particular for capturing the conversation and turning it into an inspiring article and an aftermovie.
Water walk and a charter for a potable Nete
Antwerp provincial governor Cathy Berx, deputy for environment and water Jan De Haes, a lot of Nete mayors, VMM and Natuurpunt signed a Charter on March 18, 2023 to make the Kleine Nete so healthy by 2050 that you can drink its water.
Signing the charter was the highlight of a two-day walking tour along the Kleine Nete from Geel to Grobbendonk. A Drinkable Kleine Nete came about in a co-production of the Transition Arena Water, river expert Li An Phoa and the Kleine Nete Collaborative.
Will we ever drink from the river Scheldt?
A similar initiative took place with a focus on the Scheldt. During a sensory walk you could discover how the water quality of the Scheldt is doing.
Questions such as: "How do we as humans, society and industry relate to this blue lifeline and foundation of our fragile ecosystem?" Are we taking enough care of it and will we ever be able to drink from the Scheldt in the future?
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Disclaimer
The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), De Vlaamse Waterweg, De Watergroep, Aquafin, the Flemish Department of Environment, Farys, Pidpa, water-link and VITO - Vlakwa have created the space for a group of fresh thinkers to develop a systemic view of water, and to challenge the water sector to shape a futureproof water system. The formulated ideas are not those of the initiators, nor do they represent their stands. However, they are considered valuable as an inspiration for the future of our water system.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
