The Need for a Research Network

Today’s environmental challenges require a multidisciplinary approach that considers the social, economic and cultural dimensions of water management, where interinstitutional partnerships and research networks are essential. The scientific community will not be able to face these challenges alone. Therefore, the creation of links between public authorities, the productive sector and civil society will ensure that research activities are applied and meet the society needs.

Our Mission

Designing a model of integrated management of tropical hydrographic basins, promoting a bridge between scientific knowledge and society. 

Timeline

2013
  • The initial concept of Tropical Alliance is proposed by Austrade and Trade Investment Queensland (TQI) to promote academic and business exchange between Brazil and Australia.
  • The Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University becomes the leader to develop the Tropical Alliance initiative and to identify Water Resource Management as a priority area.
2015
  • Initial discussions regarding aquatic sciences take place at the Congress of the Brazilian Water Resources Association during the Latin American Water Week.
  • Australian scientists visit Brazil in July and meet with research funding and training Agencies at Federal (CNPq, CAPES) and State (FAPESP, FAPEMIG, FAPERJ, FAPEAM, SECTES) levels, Water and Environment Agencies (including  Agência Nacional das Águas and State Agencies in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília), Industry Federations (FIESP, FIEMG) and key research groups with an interest in the management of tropical waters (USP, UFMG, UFRJ, UERJ, UnB , INPA).
  • A Workshop is organized by Austrade with the Secretariat of Environment and Water in São Paulo and Special Session take place at the Conference of the Brazilian Water Resources Association (ABRH) in Brasília. In addition, other discussions were held with researchers from USP, UFRJ and UnB.
  • The proposal to establish an international network is initiated through partnership among the Agência Nacional da Água (ANA), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior (CAPES) – PrInt program (Institutional Internationalization Program), State Research Support Foundations (FAPDF, FAPES, FAPESB, Araucária Foundation/FAPPR), Universities and Research Institutes.
  • Griffith University and the Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU – Memorandum of Understanding) to support the initiative to develop a formal proposal of an international network focused on tropical water management issues: Tropical Water Research Alliance (TWRA) between Brazil and Australia.
2017
  • The first Workshop to discuss TWRA issues takes place at the XVI Brazilian Congress of Limnology in the Rio de Janeiro State
2018
  • The World Water Forum provides discussions that strengthen the Alliance’s proposal with the Agência Nacional da Água (ANA) and other national and international agencies.
  • ANA signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Government for cooperation in water management and the Australian Rivers Institute becomes the implementing partner.
  • Professors Stuart Bunn, José Francisco Gonçalves Jr. and Hamish Campbell make technical visits to universities in Brazil (UnB, Brasília) and Australia (Griffith University, Brisbane).
  • A PhD internship from a UnB student at Griffith University is approved through the Capes PrInt Program.
2019
  • Three workshops are held to discuss the implementation of the Tropical Alliance: July 31 promoted by FAPDF in Brasília; 2 – 1 August promoted by SETI-PR in Curitiba; 3 – 5 and 6 of August during the XVII Brazilian Congress of Limnology in Florianópolis.
  • FAPES formalizes the support for theTropical Alliance, making Espírito Santo State the pioneer of the execution and implementation of the Alliance activities.
2020
  • Activities begin for the presentation of the Tropical Alliance in the State of Espírito Santo.
  • They are held to decide the next steps and alternatives to the face-to-face Workshops canceled by the emergence of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
  • The Espírito Santo Regional Committee begins to carry out scientific dissemination through TWRA’s social media, including matters involving the pandemic and the water environment.
  • The I Cycle of TWRA Webinars – Presentation and Implementation of the Tropical Water Research Alliance takes place between July and September.
  • TWRA enters as a partner of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo and they carry out the I IFSP Webinar – Challenges for the Sustainable Management of Hydrographic Basins, between the months of September and December.
  • During the second semester, the creation of TWRA’s Regional Headquarters begins in the states: Bahia, Paraíba, Alagoas, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Federal District, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte.
  • In October, TWRA becomes a non-profit association based in the city of Brasília.
  • In December, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed between CONFAP and TWRA.
2021
  • TWRA has its first project approved at the federal level, through the Águas Brasileiras Program.
  • In the first semester, the Regional Headquarters of the States of Rondônia and Minas Gerais are established.
  • In September, the II Cycle of TWRA Webinars begins.
  • Paraná State Government approves TWRA partner institution project.
  • Launch of the book “Sustainable Management of Hydrographic Basins: Scenarios of Brazil and Australia”.
  • TWRA’s proposal is approved in the first phase in the MCTI Public Notice.
2022
  • In February, the collaborative exchange project between Victoria University (Australia) and TWRA is approved.
  • TWRA has its second project approved at the federal level, through the Águas Brasileiras Program.
  • The Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) makes its financial support to the Tropical Alliance official.
  • TWRA participates in the 9th World Water Forum (Dakar).
  • Participation of TWRA in the annual conference of the Brazilian Association of International Education (FAUBAI).
  • In April, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AGERH and TWRA is signed.
  • In May, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Griffith University and TWRA is signed.
  • In September the III International TWRA Webinar Cycle takes place.
  • TWRA’s Executive Board carries out the Mission Australia.
  • TWRA’s Participation in CONSECTI & CONFAP 2022 National Forum.
2023
  • TWRA’s participation in the Society for Freshwater Science.
  • TWRA project in partnership with Griffith University is published in a magazine.
  • TWRA participation in the Society for Freshwater Science (SFC) meeting in Brisbane, Australia.

José Francisco Gonçalves Jr., Ph. D.

President of TWRA Brasil

Stuart Bunn, Ph. D.

General Coordinator of TWRA Australia
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