In late May and early June 2022, this year’s World Canals Conference was held in Leipzig, Germany – one of the most prestigious events concerning the functioning of waterways and the exchange of experience. The main subject of the conference was broadly understood TRANSFORMATION, the transition from mining to sustainable water landscapes – in central Germany as well as in the whole world.
The event was attended by experts and guests from all over the world. The conference was divided into many panels and discussion groups. Consideration was given to ways of effectively promoting waterways, tourism, regional development, flood protection, environmental protection and revitalisation of towns, as well as how to think of water and health in the process of transformation from lignite to a ‘water landscape’. The conference was also accompanied by a program of excursions, which in practice allowed familiarisation with places undergoing transformation in the mining landscape of central Germany.
During this event, the city of Bydgoszcz presented its offer for water sports enthusiasts, including promotional publications – maps and IWW E70 guides. The dedicated stand was also part of the Bydgoszcz application to organise the world conference dedicated to waterways, which came to a successful conclusion. In Leipzig an oar was officially bestowed into the hands of Deputy Mayor Michał Sztybel, as a symbol of the right to organise the next event, taking place in 2024.
The World Canals Conference is an international platform for inland waterways under the auspices of Inland Waterways International. Each year, the WCC associates hundreds of scientists, political representatives, members of public administration and companies, as well as enthusiasts of water and water sports. It is an occasion for the exchange of experience among an international community, the presentation of the host city’s attractions, its successes and challenges related to inland waterways. Organisation of the conference emphasizes the centre’s importance in waterway networks and ensures global promotion in the sector environment.
