Why Ozwater'24 is a must attend for Young Water Professionals
by Will McLean
Ozwater'24 is set to be a ground-breaking event for young professionals in the water industry and is making a long awaited return to Melbourne this year!
The key theme of the conference is Accelerating Action, addressing the vital role water must play in the climate crisis of our current time. With multiple concurrent streams and more than 200 presentations covering all facets of the water industry, Australia’s premier water conference, Ozwater, is not to be missed.
The conference has a dedicated one-day program for Young Water Professionals (YWPs), packed with sessions tailored to inspire and connect the next generation of water leaders. Here's a brief overview of what's happening:
YWP Program Highlights
Opening Session: Australian Young Water Professional of the Year 2023, Chelsea Hayward, will provide leadership for the day, beginning with her water story, what inspired her to initiate a water career, and how she hopes to accelerate action.
Communicating Climate Change: In this collaborative workshop, you will hear from experienced climate change and communication/engagement subject matter experts. Based on different scenarios, you will work on strategies to communicate the real risk of climate change to the water sector. With plenty of opportunities for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, this workshop will help develop key skills in communication on an issue that will be a factor for the water industry to face for generations to come.
Two Way Knowledge Exchanges to Regenerate Our Future: Facilitated by Prof. Phil Duncan and Prof. Emeritus Cynthia Mitchell AO. In this session, Phil and Cynthia will encourage Young Professionals to examine their knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and actions concerning our current state and the future we want, in terms of Australia’s First Peoples and our country more broadly. The invitation is to develop awareness of ourselves alongside awareness of our First Peoples’ cultural values, history, beliefs, practices, knowledge, and philosophies. Young Professionals will be challenged and inspired to unlock their potential as advocates for Australia’s First Peoples’ success through regenerative futures.
Site Tours: The locally based site visits held in the afternoon will round out the discussions already undertaken throughout the day.
Thank you to our Young Water Professionals Program Supporter Beca HunterH2O. For more information and to register, please visit the webpage here: https://www.ozwater.org/program/ywp-program.
Why should Young Water Professionals attend?
Professional Development: The YWP program is designed to enhance understanding of how to integrate passion for water and sustainability into action and plans for our water future. It's an opportunity to learn from influential minds and develop skills in interactive sessions.
Networking: Building connections with peers will benefit you personally and professionally, opening up new career paths and connections for future collaboration.
Knowledge Transfer: Attending the program allows YWPs to bring back valuable insights and ideas to their organisation, contributing to business development and innovation.
Why should employers encourage their Young Water Professionals to attend?
Investing in Talent: Sending young employees to the conference demonstrates a commitment to their professional growth, positioning your organisation as an "Employer of Choice".
Business Development: Participants will gain exposure to the latest insights and opportunities, which can translate into competitive advantages for your company.
Innovation and Sustainability: By engaging with the program's focus on accelerating action for water sustainability, young professionals can contribute to your organisation's sustainability goals and initiatives.
Register Now
For those interested in attending Ozwater'24 and participating in the Young Water Professionals Program, registration is open at www.ozwater.org. The YWP Program can be registered as a standalone program or as an add-on to an Ozwater registration.
We’ve developed a how-to guide to help you convey the direct benefits to your employer. Download and read the pack and adjust it to suit your needs.
Take the first step towards accelerating your career and contributing to the future of water management.
