The 17th International Riversymposium has an overarching theme of ‘Large River Basins’. There is hardly a better location to hold this conference than in Canberra in the Murray-Darling Basin – where much of Australia’s A$13 billion water reform implementation and large basin planning has occurred since 2007. Sharing the experiences and some world-leading innovations will be a great back-drop to this event.

This year’s Riversymposium will have something for all river professionals. We are lowering the standard registration level substantially to ensure no financial barriers to this exciting event. Above all, the Riversymposium will be an occasion to celebrate – with awards of Riverprizes at the fabulous Gala dinner, a river art festival, and strong social and partner programs.

The 2014 Riversymposium theme is ‘Large River Basins’ – a subject well suited to Canberra being located in the iconic Murray-Darling Basin. This theme is backed by the Global Partnership to Advance Integrated River Basin Management who are seeking a range of conference outcomes including a ‘Canberra Declaration’ on the way forward. Whilst the theme emphasises large basins, Riversymposium deliberately caters for all aspects of river management and restoration, at all scales. To accommodate this, our invitation to prospective speakers covers a wide range of topics, from environmental water to climate extremes to indigenous interests.

These topics include :

Theme 1 : Large River Basin Management
Integrated river basin management
Environmental flows

Theme 2 : Science & Knowledge for River Policy and Management
The science – policy interface
River restoration
Wetlands and estuaries
Climate extremes

Theme 3 : Rivers for Industries
Agriculture
Mining
Urban

Theme 4 : Rivers and Communities
River nexus – integrating river perspectives
Indigenous river voice
Communicating rivers