Holistic Waste Management Strategies and Wastewater Treatment Technologies for Sustainable Cities


Jeju, Republic of Korea, 5~8 October 2015 (Mon-Thu)

Background

"Given the importance of good wastewater management and the urgent need to address this on a global basis, it is refreshing that its importance is, increasingly, being recognized, not least by recommendations for its specific inclusion in the future sustainable development agenda after 2015."

Nowadays, many cities in the Asia-pacific region are suffering from problems related to an unsafe or unsuitable water quality. These rapidly urbanizing and growing cities in the region are undergoing industrialization which, on the one hand, has improved the overall standard of living; however, on the other hand, has brought about changes in land use and food production practices ending up in poor water use and wastewater management practices. All sectors (domestic, industrial and agricultural) making up the cities heavily depend upon the biologically diverse aquatic ecosystem which is a fundamental element supporting lives of people living in. This is why it is important, at this point in time, to realize the necessity of adopting a holistic and integrated wastewater management system which encompasses a full life-cycle and an eco-system underlying and reflects social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development across geographic borders.

Within a properly designed wastewater management system, the whole cycle from source to re-entry into environment, either for reuse or disposal, should be considered instead of single or selected areas or segments of it. Moreover, well thought-out and efficiently managed systems would not disrupt natural ecosystem processes that purify water and maintain soil structure, and furthermore, would work with rather than against them. In order to work out appropriate approaches for cities (the receiving environment) which differ in nature (urban or rural), size, density of population, level of economic development, technical capacity and system of government in place, comprehensive site evaluation processes to determine the carrying capacity of the receiving environment should be conducted. It is also well worthy to note that adoption of developed countries strategies for waste and wastewater management is neither appropriate nor viable for developing countries. In addition, whichever approach is selected, sufficiently trained staff and capacity (financial, technical etc.) must be in place for continued waste and wastewater management.

Event type
Workshop

Date
5~8 October 2015

Venue
UNITAR Jeju International Training Center (JITC), Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea

Organizers
● UNITAR
● UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC
● UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre

Sponsor
Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (KOREA-UNDP Cooperation Fund)

Targeted audience
Central and local government officials and other related personnel from NGOs, institutions and private companies in the field of waste and wastewater management with experience in waste management policy development and wastewater treatment technologies transfer

Website
● UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC
● UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre

Content
The training will include the following:

● topic 1: holistic waste management (HWM) overview
● topic 2: national and city level waste management strategies
● topic 3: green and sustainable cities
● topic 4: tools for HWM (policies, financing and technologies)
● topic 5: Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) methodology
● topic 6: wastewater treatment technologies (transfer)
● topic 7: policy framework for and private sector participation in HWM
● topic 8: action plan to implement waste management strategy

Learning objectives
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

● adopt a strategic approach to all stages of waste and wastewater management
● optimize the re-use of waste and wastewater
● improve the fragmented institutional responsibilities for waste and wastewater
● stimulate political will and the critical role of improved monitoring of a waste stream
● recognize critical roles of waste and wastewater in sustainable development
● manage waste and wastewater in a changing world.

Methodology
The training will be comprised of:

● lectures by experts
● self-assessment exercise and group work
● case study presentation
● technologies transfer consultation by private company representatives
● UNITAR developed "CityShare methodology"
● study visit.

UNITAR-developed "CityShare methodology" will be used during the workshop.

The "CityShare methodology"aims at optimizing peer learning between local officials and other local stakeholders playing crucial roles in ensuring sustainable municipal development. The methodology consists of various processes of self-assessment, distillation, and transfer of challenges, lessons learned, and good practices between local stakeholders and resource persons. It is also composed of several tools to provide a common framework for the evaluation of experiences made by the participating cities and offer a common language for the exchange and assimilation of experiences, as well as a roadmap for action and progress.

Requirements
Selected participants are required to:

● submit necessary documents on time, i.e., application forms etc.
● complete and submit pre-training readings and assignments, i.e. case studies etc.
● actively participate in the training program
● be fluent in written and spoken English

Course certificates
UNITAR and UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC will jointly issue a certificate to participants upon completion of the full program.

How to apply
Send the following documents to cifaljeju.env@gmail.com by 28 August 2015 (Fri):

● application form (download from http://www.cifaljeju.org)
● curriculum vitae (CV)
● case study description
● letter of nomination
● letter of commitment.
※ Late application will not be accepted.

Note
● Application without required documents will not be considered.
● Participation is subject to approval of the application by UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC.
● Selected participants will be notified individually.

Assistance with travel cost
● UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC provides LIMITED financial assistance with the airfare to Jeju-do, Republic of Korea.
● Local expenses (transportation, accommodation and meals) during the workshop will be covered.
● All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants.