The Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is launching the DAWWERA (Designing Alternatives for Water, Waste, and Energy in Rural Areas) initiative on Thursday March 16, 2023 at 10:00 am, at the Audiovisual Auditorium – Charles Hostler, AUB. This initiative aims at empowering stakeholders in the water-energy- waste and food nexus through integrating the circular economy approach that considers the linkages between these sectors, while capturing the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Through DAWWERA, the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) will work on enhancing and empowering small-scale food producers in the rural areas of Lebanon by integrating the circular economy into the food value chain and by using the water-waste-energy- food nexus approach. In order to do that, DAWWERA will employ an innovative method based on ‘systems thinking’ to map out interconnections between the different sectors relevant to each intervention. The activities and projects implemented under DAWWERA present sustainable and supportive interventions that aim at utilizing resources efficiently and effectively by designing out waste and regenerating natural systems. In addition, a steering committee was established and is leading DAWWERA’s plan of action. This committee is composed of several key players in the water-waste-energy-food nexus including Recycle Lebanon, Berytech, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Difaf, Development for People and Nature Association, Lebanon Waste Management Coalition, the Millennium Institute, and Sustain the World. Keynote speakers at the event will include ESDU’s Executive Director Dr. Shady Hamadeh, Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassine, and a Representative of the British Embassy. Media representatives and reporters are welcome to attend and cover the event.
Source: National News Agency-Lebnon