On October 9 and 10, 2024, the Austrian Consumer Dialogues took place at the Museum Arbeitswelt in Steyr (Upper Austria). This year, everything revolves around the topic of water. In collaboration with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, the Consumer Dialogs sheds light on various topics relating to water, including drinking and industrial water, hydropower, wetlands and the concept of "virtual water" were presented and discussed.
An integral part of all "Consumer Dialogues" is also the promotion of exchange and networking between people from the respective specialist areas. With this in mind, a non-public round table was held with Mr. Norbert Totschnig, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management and 14 invited guests from business, science and civil society. The focus was on the "Wonderful World of Wetlands", i.e. the rivers and lakes, moors, floodplains and ponds in Austria. Under the wonderful moderation of forest ambassador Hermine Hackl, experiences and concerns were addressed and discussed by the participants in an atmosphere of trust.
Elena Kmetova-Biro was invited on behalf of the LIFE WILDisland project to present the experience of the Donau-Auen National Park. She focused on the extensive experience of the Donau-Auen National Park with revitalization measures, which once again demonstrated the invaluable benefits of healthy floodplain ecosystems. She emphasized the need for cross-sector and cross-border cooperation in our work with the most international river in the world and cited the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative as a good example. The efforts of the Donau-Auen NP to work with young people and develop awareness and knowledge were also mentioned.
We believe Donau-Auen National Park and the WILDisland concept can serve as a best practice example for wetland conservation and will continue our joint efforts with other sectors, partners and the public to create more space for intact nature and its services.
The "Austrian Consumer Dialogues" organized by the COMÚN Foundation are taking place for the 6th time, and for the first time are dedicated to the broad topic of water. An extensive program has been designed in cooperation with the five water institutes of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. The "Consumer Dialogues" at the Museum Arbeitswelt in Steyr and are aimed at all interested parties; admission is free. The program included workshops for kindergartens & elementary school, conducted by KinderUni OÖ and BAFEP Steyr, information stands & hands-on offers by the state of Upper Austria, an exhibition by the COMÚN Foundation on the topic of "Virtual Water", the presentation of the winning photos of the "Wasseraktiv" photo competition with Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig and two public information events
Over 1,500 people, including many children and young people, took part in the event this year.
We are very grateful for the invitation and opportunity to share our experience and hear other colleagues from various sectors.
Photo credit: Liebentritt/Common Affairs
