The objective of the workshop was to provide a forum for presenting research advances in the design of policies and the relevance of this products for decision-making of water resources in the context of climate change. It was also an opportunity to identify key policy-making issues and research in the water field and to promote dialogue between researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders in defining policies and needs of the country.
EfD Center Director Francisco Alpizar opened with a warm welcome the participants. The welcome was followed by two keynote presentations, each presentation had three panelists and a space for questions and comments from the audience.
The first keynote presentation was held by Senior Research Fellow and leader of the Water, Communities and Climate Change Project (AC3) Roger Madrigal. He outlined the main results of the AC3 Project on community based organizations and adaptation to drought, panelist featured in this panel where: Jose Miguel Zeledón, Water Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Rolando Marin, President of the Latin American Confederation of Community Organizations for Water and Sanitation Systems (CLOCSAS) and EfD Fellow and AC3 Project Researcher Eugenia León.
The second panel was led by EfD-CA Center Director Francisco Alpizar, with the presentation titled: Efficient use of water and energy at a household level: Instruments of Economic Policy. Panelist for this session were: Yamileth Astorga, Executive President of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, Maritza Marin Araya from the Central American Association for Economy, Health and Environment (ACEPESA), and AC3 researcher Pablo Imbach from the Environmental Modeling Research Laboratory, Climate Change and Watershed Program at CATIE.
Among the participants we had representation from Costa Rica’s Central Bank, The Regulatory Authority of Public Services (ARESEP), The National Service of Groundwater Irrigation and Drainage (SENARA), Research Centers and other organizations working within the framework of water resources.
The policy relevant research at EfD Central America looks at how water contributes to development through local research agenda undertaken by stakeholders in collaboration with governmental institutions, which together, combine expertise to look at policy issues.
