IHP- UNESCO AND ITALIAN NATIONAL
COMMITTEE
Versione Italiana
The
International Hydrological Programme (IHP), UNESCO's intergovernmental
scientific co-operative programme in water resources, is a vehicle
through which UNESCO's Member States can upgrade their knowledge
of the water cycle and thereby increase their capacity to better
manage and develop their water resources.
It aims at the improvement of the scientific and technological
basis for the development of methods for the rational management
of water resources, including the protection of the environment.
As UNESCO's principal mechanism to contribute to the priority
issue of water resources and related ecosystems, the IHP strives
to minimize the risks to water resources systems, taking fully
into account social challenges and interactions and developing
appropriate approaches for sound water management.
BACKGRUOND
The Programme started as the International Hydrological Decade
(IHD, 1965-1974) and was followed by the International Hydrological
Programme (IHP) in 1975. Since its inception, much progress has
been achieved regarding methodologies for hydrological studies
and training and education in the water sciences. Although the
general objectives remain valid, greater emphasis is being put
on the role of water resources management for sustainable development
and the adaptation of the hydrological sciences to cope with the
expected changing climate and environmental conditions. Another
important objective is to integrate the developing countries into
the worldwide ventures of research and training.
The principal modes of execution of IHP, which is a long-term
programme executed in phases of a 6-year duration, have been working
groups, symposia, workshops, publications and projects, the latter
especially through the UNESCO Regional Offices where Regional
Hydrologists are located.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The first phase, IHP-I, lasted from 1975 to 1980. IHP-II, on the
other hand, was of a shorter duration (1981-1983). This was to
enable the Programme to fit in with the timing of the Medium Term
Plan of UNESCO. The IHD was mainly research-oriented. IHP-I, which
followed on from the IHD, maintained much of the research orientation.
However, in response to the concerns of Member States, the next
phases were oriented to include practical aspects of hydrology
and water resources. Hence IHP-II (1981-1983) and IHP-III (1984-1989)
were planned under the theme Hydrology and the Scientific Bases
for Rational Water Resources Management.
The theme chosen for IHP-IV (1990-1995) was : "Hydrology
and Water Resources Sustainable Development in a Changing Environment".
IHP-V (1996-2001) was devoted to the theme : "Hydrology and
Water Resources Development in a Vulnerable Environment".
FUTURE
PLANS
In the development of its various phases, IHP has gone through
a profound transformation from a single discipline to a multi-disciplinary
programme. Recently, with the increased presence of the social
science component, IHP has become a truly inter-disciplinary programme,
capitalizing on the recognition that the solution of the world
water problems is not just a technical issue.
The current phase of IHP, IHP-VI, covering the period 2002-2007,
is devoted to "Water Interactions : Systems at Risk and Social
Challenges".
The IHP - being a science and education programme at global level
- requires the active participation of its co-operating partners
in order for it to function well. It must be considered as a Programme
of the combined worldwide efforts of the Member States and their
designated IHP National Committees, as well as of the international
and national scientific community.
In the implementation of the Programme, joint actions with other
international scientific endeavours of UNESCO will continue, creating
opportunities for intra and intersectoral co-operation.
ITALIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
The National IHP Committee (IHP-CNI, Comitato Nazionale Italiano
del IHP-UNESCO) was established by the President of National research
Council (CNR) and is constituted by main Italian scientists of
prestigious research and technical institution involved in each
kind of water related subjects.
The President of the IHP-CNI is Prof. Lucio Ubertini, the seat
is the CNR Research Institute for Protection by Hydrogeological
Hazards - IRPI ( ), located at Perugia.
The IHP-CNI was recently deeply involved in the organisation of
events for 2002 the Int. Year of Mountains and for 2003 the Int.
Year of Freshwater.
CNR-IRPI,
Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica, Via Madonna
Alta 126, 06128 Perugia (PG), Italy; email:
segreteria
irpi.cnr.it
IHP-CNI Scientific Secretary: Dr. Maurizio Polemio, CNR-IRPI,
Via
Amendola 122 I, 70126 Bari; fax:+39
080 5929610;
email: m.polemioba.irpi.cnr.it
First Circular