For the Banff Mountain Summit - Mountains as Water Towers, November 23-26, 2003 we are seeking examples of existing water related problems that can be used as case studies in facilitated problem-solving sessions. These case studies should not be past problems that have been largely solved. They should be problems and issues that are new or continuing, where a successful solution has not yet been identified. We encourage a broad range of water related case studies both from an International perspective and local Canadian viewpoint.

There are five (5) theme areas in the conference. All suggested case studies should relate to one of these theme areas:

• Who owns it and who profits from it? (For example: trans-boundary issues; trans-watershed issues; international agreements; supply and demand pricing)
• Integrated watershed management (For example: shared solutions; shared strategies; decision-making models; upstream/downstream link)
• Mountain water ecosystems: conservation and restoration (For example: aquatic biodiversity; contamination)
• Climate change (For example: mountain ecosystems as early indicators; planning for uncertainty; mitigating the impacts; encouraging individual citizen action on climate change)
• 20 Year Horizon – search for solutions (For example: what drives innovation; increasing water efficiency in industry; tourism infrastructures)

Presentation format: 1 hour total per case study session

• Presenter will have 20 minutes approximately to present problem/issue
• Pre-appointed moderator will steer group discussion to examine "focus questions" that relate to the future of this case.
• Moderator will facilitate interactive discussion, Q & A, followed by recommendations and sharing of insights with presenter specifically addressing the problem/issue

NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in proposing a case study for the Summit, please email mountainculture@banffcentre.ca a Word document that includes the following information. All case studies proposals must be relevant to "mountains as water towers" theme and to one of the five conference theme areas listed above. Case studies will be subject to approval by our Conference Chair. Final deadline for submissions: September 15, 2003.

Contact information for person preparing this summary:

Name:
Email:

1. What is the conflict or issue?
2. Where does it take place?
3. Is this a seasonal problem or a year-round problem?
4. How long has this problem existed?
5. What is the trend – is the problem getting worse, getting better, staying the same?
6. Who are the main stakeholders in this issue – can you describe each group with a sentence or two?
7. What solutions have been tried?
8. In your opinion, which of the 5 conference themes does this case study relate best to, and why?

Ask the conference participants for their advice: what 3 questions would you most like input on?