The Young Scientific Programme Committee (YSPC) initiative began in 2012 as a complementary initiative to support the World Water Week Scientific Programme Committee and is a group of individuals (age 35 and under) selected each year to work with the Scientific Programme Committee (SPC).
The YSPC works with the SPC in developing the seminars around this year’s thematic scope under the theme: Water for Climate Action.
Applications are open from 16 January to 3 February 2025.
About
They collaborate with experienced scientists and water professionals, develop the seminars’ programme for World Water Week, and gain visibility within the water community. They also add the young professionals’ perspective to the SPC’s work.
Joining the YSPC is an opportunity to expand their network and gain valuable experience.
YSPC tasks and commitments
Committee members serve in their personal capacity. They are appointed for one World Water Week period. The YSPC will be working with the SPC in developing the SIWI Seminar Series, this includes:
- Overall coordination and communication with SPC/SIWI around the seminars (March to September)
- Developing the seminar programme (theme, structure, format, selecting presenters) (April to August)
- Uploading all the necessary seminar information in the online programme (March to September)
- Act as the contact point for presenters on content-related issues (April to August)
- Collecting biographies and photos from presenters (April to August)
- Coordinating presentation content with speakers (April to August)
- Promulgate, together with the SPC, the outputs of the seminar through appropriate reports, opinion pieces, blogs etc. (August to September)
For the YSPC Member working alongside the Chair, the overall Terms of Reference, time needed, conditions of service, etc, are almost the same as for the other YSPC members; the specific duties are:
- On behalf of the Chair, monitoring the progress of the Seminar Teams.
- Being available to support Seminar Teams who are lagging.
- Supporting and sharing the Chair’s work in general.
- Working alongside the SPC Secretary to coordinate the planning of seminars and the work carried out by the other YSPCs.
- During World Water Week: Working with the Chair to attend as many seminar sessions as possible.
The working language of the committee is English.
To read more about the YSPC role, please find the Terms of Reference here.
