FAQ-Section updated
Answers to common questions related to the event and the location can be found below.
News & Updates
The conference registration is closed
We are looking forward to meeting you in Cuenca!
If you have further questions regarding the regsitration please contact us.
About
The Water Security and Climate Change Conference (WSCC) is an annual event where scientists, policy makers, and stakeholders from various sectors discuss the diverse facets of water security and its relationship to climate variability and climate change. The conference strives to go beyond science and build bridges between the state-of-the-art in multiple disciplines and different groups of stakeholders and practitioners. The WSCC aims to provide a platform for discussions on water and food secure societies, by creating a stimulating environment that produces innovative ideas and clear pathways towards their implementation. This successful conference has already taken place in Thailand, Germany, Kenya, Mexico and Vietnam.
Background
The WSCC is an initiative of the ‘Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed’ program. It has been initally implemented under the auspices of the Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries network (SWINDON) and the Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) in close cooperation with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The scientific and organizational committee has been continuously expanded and today includes the Food Security Center (FSC), the University of Cuenca, and the SDGnexus Network.
Keynote Speakers
FAQ
Here you can find the answers for the frequently asked questions. There are 6 main topics we considered important for you to know:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Safety Details about the WSCC venue (Campus Balzay of Universidad de Cuenca): wi-fi, location, etc.
- Food
- Cuenca: currency, weather, etc
You can also download the entire FAQs here.
We hope you have the best experience in our beautiful city, and enjoy the event!
Yes. You will receive an email with instructions for the morning (Hotel-venue) and evening (venue-hotel).
The best and easiest way is to take a taxi. It will take 5-10 minutes to arrive. It will cost you between USD 2.5 and USD 3.5. You can ask for a taxi at your hotel reception desk. All taxis use a taximeter.
Cuenca is a city known for its rich culture, historic houses, and as one of the safest cities in Ecuador. It is a quiet town and a very popular destination for European and American retirees. You can walk around the historic center without any problem. The streets are clean and you’ll find a permanent police presence around the main plaza and surrounding blocks.
The event will be hosted in Universidad de Cuenca. It is important to keep in mind that the University has four campuses in the city. The WSCC conference will be held at the Campus Balzay.
The Balzay campus is located at Av. Victor Albornoz y Calle de los Cerezos. It takes 5-10 minutes by car from the city center.
Yes. You can find all the details and a full agenda here
There are 2 options:
- People that have access to eduroam can connect to that network.
- Everyone can connect to the “Red Abierta UCuenca” network (no password needed).
People who have full registration in the conference will receive a coffee break in the mornings, lunch (according to your specific dietary preferences indicated during registration) and coffee in the afternoon.
Here are some recommendations based on types of food:
Typical food
Salón Tres Estrellas
Typical food (Guinea Pig)
Number: (07) 282-2340
Raymipampa Restaurant
Typical food from Cuenca
Number: +593 7-283-4159
Hotel Oro Verde Cuenca
Selection of traditional and international dishes
Number: +593 7 409-0000
International food
Mangiare Bene
Italian food
Number: +593 0999528456
Mansión Matilde
Number: +593 99 503 0935
Bodega XD
Burgers, tacos and fries
Number: +593 0986998511
La Raíz
All day breakfast
Numbers: +593958989483
All kind of food
Here you can find different options in the same street (Near Valgus
Hotel and Zahir Hotel)
Zircus Restaurant
Selection of traditional and international dishes
Number: +593 98 707 0070
Dot House
Sushi
Number: +593 0984044920
Serafina
Fusion food and specialty drinks
Number: +593 98 002 3503
Sinfonia
Coffee and deserts
While tap water is normally safe for consumption, we recommend that you only drink from water bottles during your time here. We will provide water canisters with filtered and purified water at our event.
Cuenca is famous for its architectural and cultural wealth. This has earned it its designation as a World Heritage City. Cuenca is located at an altitude of 2,538 meters above sea level and has a population of approximately 500.000. It is located in a valley formed by mountainous systems of exceptional characteristics and has a river system composed of four principal rivers: Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Machangara and Tarqui, which cross the city from west to east.
Cuenca generally has a mild and pleasant climate due to its elevation in the Andes Mountains. In general, it is sunny in the mornings and starts to get cold or rainy in the afternoons. Temperatures generally range from around 10 to 20 degrees Celsius year-round.
We recommend you to dress in layers and to always carry an umbrella, so you can adjust to the sometimes-unpredictable weather. Also, it’s extremely important to use sunscreen due to the city’s high exposure to UV rays.
The official language is Spanish. However, you may find people who speak English, especially in tourist areas or among the younger population
Of course, if you have the time and want to improve your experience you can visit our Historic Center where the colonial architecture is visualized in the cathedrals, churches and houses. We also have important museums such as Pumapungo Museum and Hat Museum.
We invite you to take a walk by Paseo 3 de Noviembre to enjoy the view and the sound of the Tomebamba river, one of our most important rivers. We recommend you to go to Turi, where you could have a whole view of the city while you enjoy our traditional food in many of the restaurants there. Finally, the Cajas National Park where you will be delighted by nature,
lagoons, and alpacas.
The official currency of Ecuador is the United States Dollar (USD).
There are exchange services downtown (Centro Histórico). ATM. To find the most convenient place for you, we suggest you ask for this information in the reception desk of your hotel.
The best way to call for emergency services is to dial 911. Please keep in mind that you will need to speak in Spanish. If you need help calling, contact this number: +593 984339456 (Cristina Correa).
Santa Inés:
Number: (07) 282-7888
Address: Av. Daniel Córodva 2-67 and Agustín Cueva
Website: https://cuenca.sisantaines.com/
Hospital Monte Sinai
Number: (07) 288-5595)
Address: Solano and Miguel Cordero Dávila 6-140
Website: https://www.hospitalmontesinai.org
In general, a medical consultation in Cuenca costs between $30 and $50.
Organized by
SDGnexus Network
The SDGnexus Network is a global community of universities, research centers, and stakeholders committed to promoting the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The SDGnexus Network is a part of the DAAD “Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed” program and, as such, it aims to strengthen higher education for enabling effective and innovative contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The SDGnexus Network has three main objectives:
(1) Establish common research framework through joint research projects between our network partners.
(2) Qualify the next generation of scientists as agents of change.
(3) Promote exchange and collaboration between our network of higher education institutions and extramural actors.
Universidad de Cuenca
The University of Cuenca is an Ecuadorian public university, founded in 1867. Its mission is to train researchers and professionals committed to a fair, diverse, and sustainable society, willing to be transformation agents. The university’s vision is to be an innovative and resilient academic community, integrated into the world through the generation of relevant, quality knowledge, and committed to contributing to the well-being of society.
Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD)
The Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) is a global network of higher education institutions dedicated to advancing academic exchange and cooperation in natural resources management. Our focus areas include water, land, ecosystems, renewable energy resources, and climate change. CNRD promotes interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration, bringing together partners from diverse regions and professional backgrounds.
CNRD’s mission is to address Global Challenges and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. We aim to nurture the next generation of experts, scientists, and decision-makers, empowering them as Agents of Change. CNRD takes an application-oriented approach, focusing on real-world problems addressed in Living Labs.
Established in 2009 and initially funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) until 2022, CNRD is now coordinated by the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) at the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. We actively engage in teaching, research, and capacity building, with approximately 30 members spanning across Latin America, the Caribbean, Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
CNRD’s mission is to address Global Challenges and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. We aim to nurture the next generation of experts, scientists, and decision-makers, empowering them as Agents of Change. CNRD takes an application-oriented approach, focusing on real-world problems addressed in Living Labs.
Established in 2009 and initially funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) until 2022, CNRD is now coordinated by the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) at the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. We actively engage in teaching, research, and capacity building, with approximately 30 members spanning across Latin America, the Caribbean, Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
International Network on Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries (SWINDON)
The primary goal of the Braunschweig Competence Centre and its international cooperation partners is to promote capacity building, knowledge transfer, and to develop core proposals for sustainable water management. The latter includes technologies for manifold use and reuse of water. For instance two thirds of fresh water worldwide is currently used in agriculture that literally drains away into the ground. Here, treated wastewater could be recycled and reused for further application, e.g. in agriculture. The water utilized in the industrial sector could also be recycled and reused.
Overall research fields include Sanitary Engineering, Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Water Quality, Waste Management, and Water Governance.
Overall research fields include Sanitary Engineering, Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Water Quality, Waste Management, and Water Governance.
The global project network of exceed-Swindon consists of 29 full member institutions in 15 countries on 4 continents. Each of these institutions is represented by a renowned scientist who has his research focus on water problems. The network considers cooperation, education, and knowledge transfer within the water research and management area to be an indispensable condition for solving present and, in particular, further water-related problems. The mission, first of all, is to inspire and promote exceed-Swindon members in being an international community of academic and practice-oriented professionals, graduated students concerned with water, and a global source of knowledge.
Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (University of Hohenheim)
The Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics at the University of Hohenheim provides a comprehensive capacity for research and education in the field of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and develops novel integrated strategies to address the challenges in global food and eco-systems related to the changing environment and the water-energy-food nexus.
With 10 specialized working groups and more than 100 scientists, the Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute offers profound empirical and theoretical knowledge covering the entire spectrum of tropical and subtropical agricultural systems. During the last decade we have been active in more than 200 research and educational projects across 50 countries of the Tropics.
All essential scientific disciplines of tropical agriculture, i.e., crop and animal sciences, agroecology, agricultural engineering as well as agricultural economics and social sciences, are united in one institute.
The main areas of research at the institute are
(1) Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
(2) Ecosystem Services & Agricultural Development
(3) Farming Systems Digital Age
(4) Food Security & Health
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) promotes technological change and sustainable development in the Asian-Pacific region through higher education, research and outreach. Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top universities in the world. Recognized for its multinational, multicultural ethos, the Institute operates as a self-contained international community at its campus located 40km north of downtown Bangkok, Thailand. AIT has three schools, namely, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), and School of Management (SOM). Education, research and outreach activities are carried out through various academic programs in different departments in three Schools. Visit www.ait.asia for more information.The Water Engineering and Management (WEM) program in the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering in SET imparts education and training towards an understanding of the complexity of water cycle, utilization, and management. It offers a balanced curriculum covering both engineering and management aspects of water resources to meet today’s major challenges for water engineers and managers include securing water for people and for food production, protecting vital ecosystems, and dealing with climate variability and change and uncertainty of water in space and time. Students acquire knowledge and hands-on practice in tools and techniques to come up with viable and sustainable solution for water, food, energy, and environmental security. Students conduct research on country-specific water related problems, and have opportunities to join research and internship programs with industries and partners.
The first “Water security and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia” Conference (WSCC2016) was held from 29 November to 01 December 2016 at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.
Funded by
The SDGnexus Network is funded by the DAAD from funds of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ)
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