Realization of an Idea to Meet an Impending Need

and contamination of the ocean waters. Many water pro­ blems of similar nature can only be resolved by concerted interna tional efforts!

As water circulates on the whole planet, the occurre­ nce and distribution of water in anyone country or region are the direct consequences of global phenomena. Aside from this strictly hydrological implication, many strong socio-economic reasons exist for focusing prompt and extensive emphasis on fundamental water problems. Such problems cannot normally be defined by their occurrence within only one country or region; rather, the experience gained from the solutions to problems from one country or region will usually benefit other ‘ coun tries or region will usually benefit other countries or regions. Internati一 onal exchanges of information and ideas have catalytic effects, and they invariably provide a better understand一 ing of the si tua tion, which may, in turn, lead to new or improvedsolutions to problems of common concern.

Because of the above and numerous othcr reasons that could be stated, a number of international organiza­ tions dealing with various aspects of water havc already been established. Most of these organi正 a tions are, however , govermment-related. Associated with the United Nations, there exist several agencies that are concerned with water

1ll one way or another. For example, the Food and Agric­

u1tural Organization (FAO) is giving special attention to water resources for agriculture. The World Health Orga­ nization (WHO) cares for water supply in relation to

- 28 一

Realization of an Idea to Meet an Impending Need Water is the most abundant substance on earth. It is the principal constituent of all living things. and it is constantly shaping the surface of the earth. However, the importance of water far exceeds its vital functions in sustaining lives and delineating geomorphology. Water is a key factor in air-conditioning the earth for human exi­ stence and in influencing the progress of civilization. Today, water is often considered as a commodity that has economic value and also as a right is subject to legal , social, and political disputes. As the world population expands and the standard of living rises, the demand for use, as well as control, of water grows sharply and beco­ mes increasingly complex.

The importance of water to man is not limited to individual persons, individual communities, or mdividual countries, but it is often conveyed beyond national boun­ dari凹， thereby resulting in international water problems. Many large rivers, indifferent to political divisions, flow from one country to another. The Nile extends from Sudan to Eygpt, the Mekong from Laos and Cambodia to Viet Nam, and the Parana from Brazil, passing along Paraguay, to Argentina-just to mention a few. The develo­ apment of such river basins requires international under­ standing and cooperation. Furthermore, all nations should share the exploration of the resources in the sea, and they should be responsible for the control of pollution

many for a long time. In fact, the forthcoming Internati­ onal Symposium on the Planning of Water Resources to be held this Decembeτin Mexico City Will have a full session devoted to ,the formation of a world organization

designed to encourage international collaboration through an interchange of information and experiences in water resources planning.

The International Water ResourcesAssociation

(I

WRA) isthe ontgrow

.t

h of many informal discustions contacts among several scientists, engineers, administrators, etc. at recen t n o. tion::c l . and in terna tional meetings. Its creation 1S 11l response to the strono and enthusiastic support of

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many people who feel the need for a continuing internat­ onaI forum to promote inteerdisciplinary communication between professionals with diverse backgrounds which encompass the en tire range of water resources problems.

I WRA is not established to compete with other inter­ national organizations which are a七 tive in various fields of water resources, but to complement their activities by coordination. It will not d uplica te the functions of other organizations, but will cooperate with them and co-sponsor activities of common interest. For example, whereas other organizations deal with specific aspets of water, IWRA is

叭也

'lllterested in combining such efforts and applying them to the practical planning ang development of water reso­

hhm _eiJmyk.1­

urces. Since thefield ofwa ter resources 心 ea xuC

health. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organiz2, tion (UNESCO) is now sponsori時 prog­

rams of the Inter九乳tion立 1 HydrologicdDecade ([HD) to coordinate internaLonal research and tn.ining activitics in hydrology.

'there are somc non-governmental international orga­ nizations dealing ,,, ith cert立 in aspects of water. For exa­ mple, the objectives of tL1e International Associatio; l for Hydraulic Research

(f

AHR) are obvious from the name of the organization; Its interest in water resources is reI a ted to the mechanics of flow of w ::c ter. The In terna tional

Water Supply Association (IWSA) l1<1 S objectives

,

vhich

are mainly related to public water supplies. Within the framework of the International Council of Scientific Uni一 ons (ICSU), thenewly reorganized 'International Associa­ tion . of Hydrological Sciences (lAHS) has the goal of promoting the study 01 hydrology as one aspect of the earth sciences and water resources, and its central focus is on the hydrological cycle.

Although several organizations have directed conside­ rable attention to certain specific aspects of water resou­ rces and have expended great effort toward the develop­ ment of their respective obiectives, there has been no world organization, governmental or non-governmental, that attempts to encompass all aspects of water resources. Since 'governmental organizations have obvious limitations,

be

the need for a non-governmental and non-profit organiz­ extensive, existing organizations cannot

need to address all aspects of interest,

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ation to overcome these shortcomings been recognized by

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一的一

- 30 一

a worldwide cooperative effort aimed at the solution of

water problems. As recent as three months ago, the Uni­

ted Nations sponsored a Conference on the Human Envi­

ronment in Stockholm, Sweden, wherr water was treated

extensively as a very essential component of man's envi­ ronment. Such conferences are government-related and

hence cannot avoid political overtones and implications,

thus limiting their true functions. In addition, conferen­

ces are transient by their very nature, and they do not

provide a permanent and continuing means to achieve their intended purpose. As a non-governmental perpetual

organization, IWRA is therefore not only the realization

of a longchdrished idea, but also the answer to a very

real need.

Yen Te Chow

;f"//////，::::'l//////.::::'l//////.::::'l//h'說:三'l//////'::::'l//////.三三'l h 本文像周文徒、學長，無/青「國際水脊源協會會長」 仗，在該會刊物所發表。經校友送來刊登。 本刊上期(

225

)亦曾接獲旅美徐修怠學長來函 報導，言有併看。←一編者 一 32 一

serve· to bridge the gaps among them.

In his recent message to Congress on March 16. 1972,

the President of the United States called for "a new par­

tnership in science and technology-one wh~ch brings tog­

ether the federal government, private enterprise, state and

local governmeuts, and our universities and research cen­

ters in a coordinated, cooperate effort to serve the na tio­

nal interest", and he stated that "a more effective use of

these resources can be made by combining the talents of

industry, government. and universities in a new type of

research organization." By paraphrasing this statement, it

can be said that I\VRA provides a new partnership in water resources-one which attempts to bring together all

worid organizations and agencies, private enterprises,

universities and institutes, and other professional groups

in a coordinated, cooperative efeort to serve the interna­

tional interest. It will promote the effective use of water

resources by combining the talents of individuals in gov­

ernment service, industry, universities, and other organiz­

ations in a new type of framework.

Various attempts to satisfy this objective have been

advanced from time to time. In 1967, an International Co­

nference on Water for Peace was held in Washington,

D.C. under the auspices of the United States Government

,

and some 94 countries and 24 in terna tional organizations participated. The purposes of this Conference were to

identify water problems, exchange knowledge, discuss

goals, and explore action programs in the furtherance of