Jordan's Queen Rania to
Chair
INWEH Advisory Committee
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Queen
Rania of Jordan |
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan will chair
the International Advisory Committee of UNU’s Canadian-based International
Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU/INWEH).
"I look forward to the opportunity of contributing to
INWEH’s countless efforts to enhance the quality of life in developing
countries, particularly for women and children," Queen Rania wrote to
Hans van Ginkel, UN Under Secretary-General and Rector of UNU.
"Indeed, INWEH’s work in the field of the environment, and its
relentless efforts to tackle the global water crisis and its health
consequences are to be commended."
INWEH, created in 1996 with Canadian government funds and
headquartered at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, works to
strengthen water management ability in developing countries.
Dr. Ralph Daley, Director of INWEH, said Queen Rania’s
leadership of the International Advisory Committee will improve the
organization’s visibility and credibility throughout the developing
world.
"Queen Rania has earned the respect of citizens
throughout the Middle East and beyond with her work to promote the
well-being of underprivileged groups. We are honoured by her offer to
participate in our work to improve access to safe water in developing
countries," said Daley.
Over the next five years, INWEH’s goals include
expanding and consolidating its work to create effective capacity-building
programmes in
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Latin America, with focus on urban water management;
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the Middle East, focusing on water conservation,
groundwater management and marine ecosystems; and
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Eastern/Southern Africa, focusing on the sustainable
lake and river basin management.
Queen Rania (formerly Rania Al-Yasin) pursued a successful
career in private sector banking before marrying then Prince Abdullah in
1993. After her marriage, Queen Rania channeled her energies into projects
that aim to improve the living conditions of several underprivileged
groups in Jordanian society. These include protecting the children of
Jordan from abuse and encouraging their early development, while raising
awareness on various health issues.
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