The “First International Aral Sea Summer School” for Young Water Professionals delivered in Kazakhstan, Aral Sea, August 10-18, 2019

The Central Asia Knowledge Network (CAKN) program provided support in organization and delivery of the “First Aral Sea Summer School” which was held in Kazakhstan, on August 10-18, 2019.  The CAKN helped establish the cross regional collaboration between the CA Youth for Water Network with the Middle East and North Africa Youth Water network (MediWat) earlier in 2019 and ensured participation of young water specialists from Afghanistan. The event was organized by the ‘Central Asia Youth for Water’ (CAY4W) Network in cooperation with the Kazakh-German University and aimed to expand knowledge of future water leaders in the area of nature-based solutions, engage young experts with civil society, provide more visibility of situation in the Aral Sea Basin and seek opportunities for cross-regional cooperation. The Summer School included expert-to-youth knowledge exchange, lectures, interactive sessions, study tour around the Aral Sea Basin (hydro-construction sites and dams). The one-week event was a great platform for networking and creating ties between different youth initiatives and allow new, concrete actions to emerge in the region and beyond.