18-19th June 2021, Chaves – Portugal
Countries involved
Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, Romania, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia
Conference Committee
Orlando Rodrigues – Instituto Politécnico de Bragança – IPB (Portugal)
Fernando Queiroga – AquaValor – Centro de Valorização e Transferência de Tecnologia da Água – Associação (Portugal)
Nuno Vaz – AquaValor – Centro de Valorização e Transferência de Tecnologia da Água – Associação (Portugal)
Pedro Cantista – International Society of Medical Hidrology and Climatology – ISMH (Portugal)
Vítor Leal – Associação de Termas de Portugal – ATP (Portugal)
Summary
Despite the importance and relevance of mineral water there is still a lack of knowledge on its potential merge with existing health, wellness, geothermal and regional development activities. Hence, AQUAFORUM will serve as a trigger for deepening existing scientific and technical knowledge on mineral water and as a vehicle for the the establishment of new partnerships that might lead to new applications and uses for the referred natural asset in different markets, thus leveraging the regional and national European economies.
By acknowledging the complexity associated with R&D activities related to mineral water and the arise of valid and usable results, one must perceive that the most prospect solution for this issue is the implementation of a European Network focused on leading mineral water research and innovation. This European Network should perform, in a collaborative and cooperative manner, activities that will improve the use of mineral water and the arise of sustainable solutions that not only boost citizens wellbeing, but also regional development. Thus, during AQUAFORUM we will be formalizing the creating of AQUANET – European Mineral Water Research, Innovation and Valorisation Network, a conglomerate of multidisciplinary entities focused on further development the mineral water topic.
Aim of the Event
With AQUAFORUM we aim to implement and promote a European Mineral Water Research, Innovation and Valorisation Network focused on establishing mineral water as one of the most relevant assets in health, wellness, energetic sustainability, and regional development.
Established Objectives
Considering the complexity associated with mineral water and the multidisciplinary perspective from which this natural resource can be address, a series of more focused and detailed objectives for the AQUAFORUM have been established and will serve as the basis for all the event panels, discussions, and activities:
- Share methodologies and deepen knowledge concerning the therapeutic use of mineral water;
- Develop knowledge and innovation on mineral water to revitalize the sector and the inherent regions;
- Discuss Mineral (Thermal) Water Sector Digital Transformation (Thermal Water 4.0)
- Promote the reflection regarding the impacts of thermalism in the European national health services;
- Foster the establishment of multidisciplinary synergies aimed at activating mineral water branding;
- Discuss the use of mineral water as a geothermal energy source and a decisive asset for regional sustainability;
- Implementation of the AQUANET project – European Mineral Water Research, Innovation and Valorisation Network;
- Promotion of thematic collaboration protocols between AQUANET founding members.
Accomodations for those willing to participate
- Hotel Casino de Chaves – https://www.gruposolverde.pt/en/hotel-casino-chaves/
- Hotel Premium Chaves – https://premiumchaves.com (20% discount with promocode: AQUACONF21)
- Hotel Vidago Palace – https://www.vidagopalace.com/