The Future of Urban Waterways

When: September 4th, 9am-10.30-am

Where: SoCentral (Øvre Slottsgate 3, 5th floor)

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Saving Our Waters – Local Action, Global Lessons

An international gathering to share experiences, inspire action, and strengthen collaboration for rivers, fjords, and watersheds.

Across the world, our waters are under threat – from pollution, overuse, climate change, and ecological degradation. Yet from Oslo to Melbourne to the Baltic Sea, communities are mobilizing for change.

Join us for a cross-continental conversation hosted by Fjorden vår (Norway), Regen Melbourne (Australia), and The Embassy of the Baltic Sea, as we explore how to protect and regenerate our fjords, rivers, and watersheds in the face of climate and nature crises and in urban areas.

Together, we will:

• Share experiences from three different bioregions – the Oslo Fjord, the Birrarung (Yarra) River, and the Baltic Sea
• Discuss how local collaboration, systemic thinking, and inclusive participation can lead to real change
• Explore new ways of organizing, storytelling, and acting on behalf of both people and planet

This event is open to everyone, whether you are working with the Oslofjord, with urban waterways, in the public or private sector, or simply a curious and motivated citizen that wants to learn more.

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Fjorden vår (Our Fjord)

The Oslo Fjord and its waterways are under serious pressure. Many good initiatives have been launched – by authorities, municipalities, businesses, volunteers, and residents – but the status from the Norwegian Environment Agency shows that we are still far from the goal: a clean and thriving fjord by 2026.

That does not mean the efforts are in vain. On the contrary – the work is having an effect, but progress is too slow. If we are to succeed in time, we must collaborate more closely, organize more smartly, and think more holistically and long-term.

"Fjorden vår" is a unifying and coordinating effort for everyone who wants to make a real difference for the Oslo Fjord and its waterways. The initiative is coordinated by Pådriv Oslo and is based on the need for better collaboration, clearer coordination, and stronger shared ownership among those already working for the fjord – and those who want to join the effort moving forward.

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Regen Melbourne : Swimmable-birrarung

Regen Melbourne is an engine for collaboration in service of the regeneration of Greater Melbourne. Powered by a community of more than 200 organisations, we’re working towards a thriving future for people and planet.

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To achieve this ambitious goal of a healthy, thriving, swimmable Birrarung Yarra River, we need a coherent and systemic response from diverse actors and stakeholders. This includes government, business, civil society and community. The role of the Swimmable Birrarung initiative is to build the coherence and momentum required to take this ambition from impossible to inevitable.

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The Embassy of the Baltic Sea

REPRESENTATION: practising representation of the more-than-human voices in the Baltic Sea watershed.

COLLABORATION: dialogue between actors at all levels from a mutual viewpoint of respect for the rights of the Baltic Sea, supporting diverse ways of knowing from law, science, art, traditional ecological knowledge and regenerative design.

ACTION: concrete examples of integrating human flourishing with the whole living community in the Baltic Sea bioregion.

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This event is held in English.