Do More For Water

BBC Reith lectures 2026 by Robert Macfarlane, november 17th, Amsterdam

11/17/2026

One of our most influential writers on landscape, language and the living world, Robert Macfarlane will give four BBC Reith lectures in front of live audiences in London, Bangor, Aberdeen and - november 17th- in Amsterdam. Robert Macfarlane will challenge humanity’s ‘superiority complex’ in the 2026 BBC Reith Lectures. His lecture in Amsterdam - in Old Lutheran Church- is about Water: The Geography of Hope, takes rivers and water as its focus, exploring some of the extraordinary ways in which law and democratic structures are being radically re-imagined in order to give voices, votes and even rights to rivers, oceans, whales and mountains. At a time of ecological crisis, extreme weather events and a rapidly heating climate, Robert Macfarlane’s Reith Lectures will examine what is in his view one of the most consequential stories humans tell themselves: that our species stands above and apart from the rest of nature. Throughout the series, titled The Human Superiority Complex, Macfarlane will argue that this belief has become deeply rooted in Western thought, and has helped bring the planet to the brink of catastrophe. Drawing on inspiring examples from around the world, the four lectures will also highlight the scientists, artists, activists, lawmakers and communities who are challenging this worldview and opening the possibility of different, more just futures for life on Earth. Each lecture will take one of the four classical elements as its focus: The first lecture, Earth: The Ladder and the Web, traces the rise and consolidation of the ‘human superiority complex’ –– the belief we are perched atop a ladder of life, rather than entangled in a web –– beginning with one of the earliest works of world literature, The Epic of Gilgamesh. The second lecture, Air: The Great Thinning, uses birds to examine some of the consequences of human exceptionalism, and shows how recent scientific breakthroughs are disclosing the superpowers of other life-forms, thereby challenging the paradigm of our uniqueness. The third lecture, Fire: Deep-Time Thinking, argues for ‘deep-time’ perspectives in both our politics and our story-telling, such that we can become better ancestors to future generations. The final lecture, Water: The Geography of Hope, takes rivers and water as its focus, exploring some of the extraordinary ways in which law and democratic structures are being radically re-imagined in order to give voices, votes and even rights to rivers, oceans, whales and mountains. Macfarlane will argue for the urgent need to re-imagine humanity’s relationship with the living world, in order to shape a more hopeful future on Earth. The Reith lectures will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service later this year and will be available to listen to on BBC Sounds. Audiences can apply for free tickets to the recordings from late September, via the BBC website. The University of Amsterdam will host the Reith lecture in the Old Lutheran Church (spui) , november 17th at 5:30 PM. Climate Institute SEVEN will host a pre- programme on our ' Water Futures' , before the event together with IBED: the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics of the UvA. More information to be announced via: https://seven.uva.nl/ and sustainalab.nl/events

Artis lecture: Is the Netherlands the ‘rubbish dump’ of Europe?

1/29/2026

Under the heading “Great Thinkers”, lectures are held in Artis' oldest and recently renovated museum, the Groote Museum. On Thursday evening at 8 p.m., ecotoxicologist and water quality expert Milo de Baat has been invited as a “Great Thinker” to take the audience through the facts, myths and misconceptions about the quality of our water. Water quality in the Netherlands is among the worst in Europe. PFAS, steel slag and microplastics are just a few examples of the pollution that ends up in our water. But how serious is this problem really? What does water quality mean for our health, nature and living environment? And how can we prevent the Netherlands from ending up in a water pollution crisis after the nitrogen crisis? Ecotoxicologist Milo de Baat (University of Amsterdam) takes you on a journey through the challenges facing the Netherlands and the world!

25 years of Partners for Water

Join us on Thursday, 11 September 2025 in Utrecht to celebrate 25 years of Partners for Water. During this festive afternoon, Partners for Water will bring together water sector stakeholders and experts to explore fresh ideas, discover international funding opportunities, and celebrate 25 years of collaboration and impact.

Join the hackathon "Give the Amstel River a voice" on september 26th

9/26/2025

On Friday 26 September, the Amstel, Gooi & Vecht Water Authority is organising a hackathon on the theme of “Give water a voice”, focusing on the Amstel river. The Amstel is the beating heart of Amsterdam, and that heart deserves the cleanest, healthiest water but clean water cannot be taken for granted. In Amstelland, too, we are confronted with persistent pollution and the consequences of climate change. During this hackathon, you will work with real water quality data and the GenAI API tools to develop smart solutions for better or new ways of handling this data, thereby contributing to water quality and understanding. This is a unique opportunity to apply your skills in data, AI, ICT or water technology in a selection of challenging practical cases, or to develop your own creative idea, together with experts from the field who will be present. Via the attached link, you will find the full invitation with all the details about participation, cases and registration. The dataset consists of: -Water quality data (chemical, flora and fauna) -Flow data -Shapefiles -Satellite images -Fact sheets about the area -Pumping data -Substance standards Let's make positive change by datadriven solutions Join us and hack the data!

First Information Session

6/6/2025

Location: Hybrid Learning Theatre in the Adam Business school / ZOOM In this hybrid information session in the Business School at UvA. We will welcome all that have joined forces for water. First, will review lab initiatives and mission of transdisciplinarity. Second, introduce AI and data focus strand. Then, present partners lab pitches. Finally, end with a Q&A session.