The International Water Resources Association (IWRA) is pleased to issue the call for applications for rapporteurs for the XIX World Water Congress, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Equipment and Water of Morocco and IWRA. The Congress will take place at the Pickalbatros Hôtel Du Golf in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, 1-5 December 2025.
IWRA’s XIX World Water Congress is one of the largest global events connecting water researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the private sector at the interface of science and policy. Under the theme “Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation” this Congress will bring together experts from diverse sectors to exchange knowledge, showcase groundbreaking research, and explore solutions for global water resources sustainability.
We are seeking thirty (30) rapporteurs, aged 18 to 35, to capture key discussions and provide summary reports on various activities taking place at the Congress, including regular and special sessions, high-level plenaries, workshops and discussions throughout the week.
Rapporteurs can be either students or young professionals with strong analytical and writing skills, preferably with water resources management understanding, who will help distill key insights from panels and technical presentations.
Application Process
Application Requirements:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old and proficient in English.
- Have knowledge of at least one water-related topic covered in the XIX Congress sub-themes, ideally with university-level studies in a relevant field.
- Demonstrate experience in science and policy communication, particularly in summarising and translating technical and complex content into accessible language for diverse audiences.
- Have strong analytical and writing skills to effectively capture key messages from technical and policy discussions.
- Have the ability to convey complex scientific and technical concepts in a clear, engaging, and accessible way to different audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.
- Candidates who study or work in Morocco and/or the region during the XIX Congress period and have knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic are desirable.
- Selected candidates will undergo dedicated online training by the IWRA Executive Office to prepare for their role as rapporteurs before the XIX Congress.
- Candidates must bring their own laptops in good working condition.
How to Apply:
- A short motivation letter (<300 words, PDF format) explaining your interest in the role, preferred sub-theme(s) from the Congress Thematic Framework, and preferred rapporteur category (Reporter, Editor, or Newsletter Team).
- A short CV (<2 pages).
- Two writing samples (e.g., article, report, policy brief) demonstrating your English proficiency and science-policy communication skills.
- One reference letter (1 page) on official letterhead, with a logo and signature.
All materials should be submitted via this google form before March 13th, 2025.
Review Process:
After the IWRA Executive Office has reviewed all applications, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via video call by the IWRA Executive Office, the Ministry of Equipment and Water of Morocco, and representatives of the XIX World Water Congress’ International Scientific Committee. These interviews will take place in the first two weeks of April 2025.
Click here to read the terms and conditions and learn more about this unique opportunity.
Awards and Benefits
- Rapporteurs will receive free registration to the XIX World Water Congress, including:
- Full access to the XIX World Water Congress
- Complementary lunches and dinner including the Gala Dinner
- An invitation to join day field trips in Marrakech
- Rapporteurs will receive a 12-month IWRA Silver Membership.
- Rapporteurs will receive a certificate recognising their contribution to the XIX World Water Congress on the final day.
- Rapporteurs will be acknowledged in the Final Congress Report.
- Rapporteurs have the opportunity to network and engage with industry experts and other water professionals.
Please note: Rapporteurs will not receive any form of remuneration from the XIX World Water Congress organisers. Rapporteurs are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses to the XIX World Water Congress.
What does it mean to be an IWRA World Water Congress Rapporteur?
Rapporteurs play a vital role in documenting the Congress, ensuring that key discussions, insights, and outcomes are accurately captured, summarised, and shared with a global audience. Their reports will not only contribute to the XIX World Water Congress Final Report but will also inform and guide IWRA’s and its partners’ future initiatives in water resource management. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an international event, engage with leading experts, and enhance your professional science communication skills!
Rapporteurs will be responsible for summarising and documenting discussions and presentations throughout the Congress. Their reports will contribute to both daily summaries featured in the XIX Congress newsletters and, most importantly, the Final Congress Report, which serves as a key and permanent reference for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in the water sector.
Rapporteurs will be assigned to one of three teams:
- The Reporters Team – Responsible for capturing and summarising session discussions and presentations.
- The Editors Team – Focused on fact-checking, refining, and structuring reports for final publication.
- The Newsletter Team – Dedicated to crafting content (news articles) for the Congress newsletters.
Each rapporteur will be assigned 2-3 sessions per day and will draft a summary of the sessions using a structured template. Summaries must be completed on the same day and uploaded to a central drive. The Editors Team will review and refine these summaries as they arrive, ensuring consistency and clarity, while requesting clarifications if needed.
Additionally, some rapporteurs will be asked to conduct short interviews with attendees, speakers, and/or High-Level experts. The Newsletter Team will select key summaries and interviews to feature as articles in the Congress newsletters.
Rapporteurs will also have the opportunity to serve as social media ambassadors, helping to share Congress highlights via tweets, posts, and interviews. Activities will be coordinated with supervisors, who will set daily priorities.
For any questions, contact us at congress@iwra.org.
