In conjunction with World Water Day, celebrated this Sunday, March 22, the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) held the Academic Forum 'Dialogue of Knowledge: Where water flows, equality grows.' This event, aligned with the 'Water and Gender' theme established by UN-Water, brought together academics and experts. Participants discussed how the global water crisis affects everyone, but hits women and girls the hardest, as they often bear the burden and risks of water collection, violating their human right to safe water and sanitation. Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, Rector of UDLAP, reminded the audience that the university recycles approximately 75% of its water consumption and urged students and faculty to join efforts to achieve 100% water recycling. Meanwhile, Benito Corona Vásquez, a full-time professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UDLAP and director of the UNESCO Chair on Hydro-meteorological Risks, stated that society faces a deeply stressed hydrological cycle due to human activity and climate change. He emphasized that the belief that 'education can heal, science can guide, culture can connect, and communication can unite humanity' unites the attendees. The forum's program, part of the 55th-anniversary events for the School of Engineering, featured two keynote lectures on groundwater and early warning systems, as well as a panel discussion on water challenges. The event also included the award ceremony for the 'UDLAP Water Challenge,' recognizing the talent of engineering students.
