YWP Regional Call – How YWP Country Chapters Are Bridging Academia and Industry in the Americas and Caribbean region

Are you a Young Water Professional looking to advance your career, strengthen your skills, and expand your global network?

Join one of the IWA Young Water Professionals (YWP) Regional Calls, organised by the IWA YWP Steering Committee with the support of the IWA Secretariat.

The IWA YWP Regional Calls are a series of online gatherings designed to connect Young Water Professionals within specific geographical regions, including Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. These calls form part of IWA’s ongoing efforts to foster a more connected, engaged, and empowered global YWP community.

This edition will focus on the Americas and Caribbean region, highlighting how IWA YWP country chapters are driving innovation, strengthening regional cooperation, and contributing to the development of the water sector. The session will explore initiatives that bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice, ensuring that knowledge is translated into practical, community-based solutions.

The call will also showcase the role of Young Water Professionals as emerging leaders who are fostering cross-regional collaboration and supporting workforce development, in alignment with the IWA Strategic Plan 2025–2030.

An interactive Q&A session will be included to encourage cross-sector dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the identification of actionable insights.

Please note:

• The event will be conducted in English.
• Certificates of participation will not be provided.
• The target audience is YWPs.

YWPs in the Americas and Caribbean region, practitioners, academics, researchers and utilities

Following this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify strategies to bridge the gap between academia and industry
• Explore practical approaches for collaboration between different YWP chapters
• Understand how purposeful communication can enhance knowledge uptake and community impact
• Apply replicable initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation and professional engagement

Organisers:

• Claudia Prehn, IWA YWP Steering Committee, Canada - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-prehn/
• Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei, IWA YWP Steering Committee, Ghana - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-sampah-adjei-fccp-178824155/
• Rita Noelle Moussa, IWA YWP Steering Committee, Lebanon - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-noellemoussa/
• Isabela Espindola, IWA/Membership Engagement Senior Officer, Brazil - https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabespindola/

Speakers:

• Lin Sun, YWP Canada Chapter (Co-Chair), Canada - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-sun-water/
• Gustavo Delgado, YWP Peru Chapter, Peru - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavo-delgado-396b5376/
• Jimena Silva, YWP Mexico Chapter (Vice-Chair), Mexico - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimena-silva-2b3243112/