We are delighted to announce the publication of the official programme of our 6th International Conference which, this year, will be held in Brasília from 4 to 8 November, hosted by Adasa (the Regulatory Agency for Water, Energy and Sanitation of the Federal District).
The conference will explore strategies for adapting to climate change focusing on the crucial role of museums, eco-museums, and cultural institutions in promoting a renewed culture of water. In a time of growing environmental challenges, adaptation is not only about responding to crises but also about proactively shaping a more resilient and sustainable future through education, people engagement and community participation.
Conference outline:
4 November
‘Back to Our Future’ Water Film Prize: Award Ceremony and Film Screening
5 November
SESSION 1 - Adapting to a Changing Climate
SESSION 2 - The Memorial Internacional da Agua - MINA: Oscar Niemeyer’s Vision for the United Nations of Water Museums in Brasilia, Brazil
SESSION 3 - Promoting Education through the ‘Water Cloud’: An Open Access Digital Repository for Museums and Schools
6 November
SESSION 4 - The Contribution of Museums to Water Governance in Tackling Climate Change. The Role of Local Communities to Foster Innovation through Traditional Knowledge and Ancient HydroTechnologies (AHTs)
ROUNDTABLE - Shaping the Transition towards More Resilient Futures with the Involvement of Local Communities and Indigenous People
7 November
17th General Assembly of the Global Network of Water Museums
SESSION 5 - Envisioning New Water Museums and Innovative Spaces to Educate, Exhibit and Engage Local Communities
WORLD CAFÉ - Medium and Long-Term Prospects and Strategies for WAMU+NET
Download the full programme
For those who are unable to join us in person in Brasilia, links will be made available in the coming days so that you can follow all sessions online.
Over three full days, the programme will feature keynote speeches, contributions from water museums, open discussions, roundtables, and poster presentations designed to exchange knowledge and generate new ideas. Special focus will be given to participatory water governance, the role of local and Indigenous communities, and the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific innovation.
On Tuesday, 4 November, the conference will officially start with the ‘Back to Our Future’ Water Film Prize Award Ceremony. On Day 1, besides the focus on climate adaptation, a specific session will present the ‘Water Cloud’: an open-access digital repository of educational resources for museums. Brazil’s rich water heritage and management strategies will be highlighted including reflections on MINA – the International Water Memorial, conceived by architect Oscar Niemeyer. On Day 2, the focus will be on the role of museums for participatory water governance. On Day3, the 17th General Assembly of WAMU+NET will bring together members to discuss collaborative initiatives and the basis for the new WAMU+NET Charter. Two city tours of Brasília are organized on Tuesday afternoon and Saturday, offering participants a chance to explore the city’s remarkable modernist architecture and water landscapes, while the Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday evening at the Brasília Palace Hotel.
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, the gathering of WAMU+NET and its members in Brasília offers a timely opportunity to align cultural, scientific, and educational efforts toward building a more just, inclusive, and water-secure future. We look forward to a vibrant, participatory, and inspiring exchange among all partners and contributors of the global water heritage and museum community.