WEDC has been organizing international conferences on the provision of infrastructure services for low- and middle-income countries since 1973. Our conferences are held either in Africa or Asia each year. Each is co-organized by WEDC and a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) formed by agencies operating in relevant fields within the host country.

Forthcoming Conference

34^th: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Sustainable Development and Multisectoral Approaches
Date: 18-22 May 2009

The Call for Papers is now available – click here for more information.

Conference papers online

Follow this link to the catalogue of over 1000 conference papers presented at the WEDC International Conferences since 1994.

Previous Conferences

Follow this link to view details of previous WEDC International Conferences.

The conference lasts five days, with a number of parallel sessions of formal presentations on different subjects. One day is reserved for field trips to local sites of interest. Time is also allocated for more informal discussion groups and workshops. The Local Organizing Committee usually arrange a conference dinner which sometimes includes a cultural programme. In addition to the formal programme, there is an opportunity to meet fellow researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around 40 countries.

A Call for Papers is circulated about a year ahead. There are different types of paper submissions, all of which are reviewed. All papers must be submitted in the conference template. Printed and bound copies of the Pre-prints are issued on registration. The Conference Proceedings - which include all papers presented, keynote speeches and summaries from the themed discussions which take place on each topic - are published on CD-Rom and mailed to all delegates.