The Symposium, titled “The Role of Women in the Conservation of Environment and Water Safety” was held at the main conference hall in the Local Council of Belkas City, Belkas City in Wednesday, April 1st, 2009. The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Samir Sallam, the governor of Dakahlia Governorate, and under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Magdy Abou Rayan, Former President of the Mansoura University and Director of International Consultants' Egypt (INECO Regional Partner in Egypt), and Prof. Dr. Hamdy El Hussainy Khalifa, Director of Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR).

The Symposium was attended by Prof. Dr. Samy Fellaly, Professor at SWERI and Secretary of the Symposium, Mr. Ahmed Nasr, the mayor of Belkas City, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Fahim, Vice Director of SWERI for Production, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Attia, Vice Director of SWERI for Extension and Training, Mr. Aly Salem, secretary of the National Democratic Party in Belkas City and Ms. Hiam Amer member of the Egyptian Parliament for Belkas, Mr. Talaat Motawee, member of the Egyptian Parliament for Belkas, Dr. Nashwa El Mahally, Secretary of Women in the National Democratic Party in Belkas City, Mr. Attia Shalaby, chairman of Basandeila Village, and Ms. Fatma Youssuf, Chairman of Mansoura Association for the Protection of Environment.

Overall, the event was attended by approximately 111 persons, with adequate representation of Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Al Awqaf, the Egyptian Parliament, the National Democratic Party, the Local Council of Belkas City, the Local Council of Basandeila Village, the local water supply company, NGOs located in Dakahlia Governorate and other local leaders.

The event attracted the media attention, including Al Ahram El Akhbaar, El-Messa, Al Gomhouria and Al Osboa newspapers besides, Channel 6 (Delta T.V.) and Al Badr T.V.

Chairpersons

• Mr. Ahmed Nasr The mayor of Belkas City on behalf of H.E. Samir Sallam, the governor of Dakahlia Governorate
• Prof. Dr. Magdy Abou Rayan Former President of the Mansoura University, and Director of International Consultants' Egypt (INECO Regional Partner in Egypt)
• Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Attia Vice Director of SWERI for Extension and Training
• Ms. Hiam Amer Member of the Egyptian Parliament for Belkas City
• Mr. Talaat Motawee Member of the Egyptian Parliament for Belkas City
• Prof. Dr. Samy Fellaly Secretary of the Symposium

Speakers

• Integrated Water Management and the Role of Women in Water Saving, Prof. Dr. Magdy Abou Rayan, Former President of the Mansoura University, and Director of International Consultants Egypt
• Environmental Pollution in Belkas, Prof. Dr. Samy Fellaly, Professor at SWERI and Secretary of the Symposium
• The Social Role of Women and NGOs in Water Saving, Dr. Nashwa El Mahally, Representative of women and secretary of the National Democratic Party
• The Role of Scientific Research in Activating the Programs of Developing Rural Women, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Attia, Vice Director of SWERI for Extension and Training
• The Role of Women in the Preservation of Water Pollution, Ms. Fatma Youssuf, Chairman of Mansoura Association for the Protection of Environment

The main outcomes and the recommendations drafted from the Symposium can be summarised in the following:

• Enhancing co-operation and co-ordination among the concerned bodies in charge of water management and water use
• Increasing public awareness to the importance of water use by different means of media i.e. TV presentations and radio programmes…etc.
• Strengthening legislations related to violation or water misuse.
• Emphasizing environmental impacts of water management at all levels especially at rural areas.
• Activate the role of women in the preservation of water resources and rationalizing water consumption in Dakahlia villages.
• There is a need for providing guidance and recommendations to consumers on the preservation and protection of water resources.
• Paying more attention to the rationalization and conservation of water resources.