The President of the International Water Association (IWA), Helmut Kroiss, and Fernando Morcillo, President of AEAS (the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation), have launched the official Spanish group of young water professionals – Young Water Professionals Spain (YWP Spain), at the “13th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies” held in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) until the 17^th of June.

IWA Young Water Professionals are enthusiastic and passionate water professionals that wish to develop their career, build their network, and engage with the international water community to contribute to achieving a water-wise world. Supported by AEAS, IWA’s Governing Member in Spain, the new group aims to empower their peers to be at the forefront of sustainable water management and innovation.

Marina Arnaldos, Head of Desalination and New Technologies in the R&D+i Department of ACCIONA Agua, has been appointed as Chair of Young Water Professionals Spain. “We are very excited to launch the Spanish chapter of IWA Young Water Professionals. We believe we can really make a difference in the water sector. This is also a great opportunity for us to connect with other IWA Young Water Professionals from around the globe, as well as engage with senior professionals that can help step up our careers in this fascinating sector”, she said.

The group already has more than 60 members, from administrative agencies, research centers, universities, NGOs, associations, consultancies and other professions related to the water sector. “We encourage other young water professionals in Spain to be part of this project and contribute to shaping the future of the water sector”, Marina added.

The sector faces the significant dual challenges of an ageing workforce and a shortage of adequately skilled staff to meet growing demand for services. It is clear that the sustainability and vitality of the water sector relies on the recruitment of competent young staff that can bring innovative thinking to address our increasingly complex water and sanitation challenges.

The International Water Association empowers and invests in young water professionals under the age of 35 to become the next generation of water leaders. Linking the global and the local, IWA will provide exceptional opportunities for professional development and to engage in IWA’s global network.

Learn more about how you can join IWA Young Water Professionals, at the national and international level.