Guest Post by: Ramya Gopalan,UNDP The Water Community, Solution Exchange is happy to announce the dates for the Annual Forum of the Water Community as 23-25 July, 2008. Please take note of the change in the dates. Broadly, the Forum will raise important issues concerning water, sanitation and governance in India. At the Forum we will review the considerable progress the community has achieved in terms of membership, queries and action groups. We will present a discussion on UN Water and the importance it will play in the near future. Additionally, participants will strategize on future action groups and discussions. Also will organize field visits to 3 rural and 3 urban sites to give participants a feel of water-related activities first hand and showcase efforts of members in that region. Using the appropriate inquiry methods, participants can meaningfully interact with the people at the project sites. The Knowledge Mela will showcase 7-8 themes presented by different organizations on issues critical to the water sector. Some of these pertain to emerging trends and technology that can be used in water. Senior officials from the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and also from the state government, will participate in an "Open House"with members of the community. The purpose is to have a frank exchange of ideas on issues concerning water supply and sanitation in India. Logistics --------------- The venue is the Ecumenical Resource Centre of the United Theological College. This is five minutes' walk from the Bangalore Cantonment Railway station, and about 90 minutes by bus from the airport. The address is: United Theological College 63, Miller's Road, Benson Town Bangalore 560046 India Ph: +91-80-23333438 Accommodation has been arranged at the College and at a hotel nearby called Ashray International, 149 Infantry Road, Bangalore 560 001; tel: +91-80-40355999. This is a 15 minute walk or drive from the venue. We are covering boarding and lodging costs from 23-25 July including meals. As air fares are rising rapidly, we request you book your seats in advance. You should plan to arrive in Bangalore early morning on the 23rd or on the evening of the 22nd, and leave on the 25th evening or night. Once your arrangements are done, please inform us of your travel plans. The table gives the travel support will be paying. North and North-East India Rs 9,000 (cheapest air fare) South India Rs 2,500 (2nd A/C train) West and East India Rs 4,000 (2nd A/C train) Once you arrive in Bangalore, if you are traveling by air, we recommend you take one of the air-conditioned buses from the airport, get off at Indian Express (Routes 4 and 5) and take an auto to United Theological College or Ashraya International Hotel. These run at 30 minute intervals round the clock. There are taxis at the airport, but they will cost around Rs 500 as the distance from the airport is around 30 km and they charge Rs 15 per km. If you are travelling by train, you can disembark at the Cantonment Station. From there is a five-minute walk to the College or a 10 minute auto ride to the hotel. We will reimburse your travel expenses on actuals, subject to the maximum amount mentioned above, at the venue. Kindly confirm your participation and travel plans by 2 July 2008. We look forward to having you there. This is the first Annual Forum since the visioning workshop held in March 2007. Please find attached the agenda:Tentative Agenda For Annual Forum - Solution Exchange Water Community Solution Exchange:http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in