This is a one year project proposed by Drs. Ray Herrmann and William Back and Mr. Ivan Johnson, American Water Resource Association (AWRA). This proposal requests $10,000 for five representatives from five developing countries in the East Asian and Pacific region to attend the American Water Resource Association (AWRA) summer symposium on water resources and environmental hazards. Fresh water is an important issue in the East Asia and Pacific countries, particularly in many developing East Asian countries where there are high rates of population and economic growth. The involvement of scientists from these countries is important, since these scientists have first hand of information concerning problems in water quality and quantity and ecosystem integrity. These scientists will also participate in special workshops to assess the need for a network for scientists and policy makers from Oceania, the Pacific Islands, and the Pacific Rim countries to develop a prioritized research agenda relating to regional water issues and to determine the scope of such a research agenda, as well as to identify critical water problems across the region. The modest cost to involve scientists from developing countries is well justified since the potential gain in advancing understanding of global water issues is great.
