So soon, the World Water Week in Stockholm!

From the 26 -31 August 2012, professionals from the scientific, business, policy and civic communities will gather in the capital of Sweden for the Stockholm World Water Week 2012 (SWWW).

The theme for this year is Water and Food Security, an area closely linked to smallholder agriculture and rural development. IFAD will actively participate in the event by hosting seminars, sharing stories from our work on the ground, and engaging with other participants and partners - both in Stockholm as well as online via social media.

World Water Week is hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place each year in Stockholm. The World Water Week has been the annual focal point for the globe's water issues since 1991.

Each year the World Water Week addresses a particular theme to enable a deeper examination of a specific water-related topic. While not all events during the week relate to the overall theme, the workshops driven by the Scientific Programme Committee and many seminars and side events do focus on various aspects of the theme. The themes change each year, but each fits within a broader "niche" that covers several years. The grouping of themes within a niche is designed to develop a long-term perspective on a broad yet significant water and development issue. It also ensures that each year builds upon the previous years' outcomes and findings.

The current niche for 2009-2012 is "Responding to Global Changes", which looks at the potential and necessary responses in water policy, management and development to address pervasive and increasingly impacting global changes.