Host
ORGANISATIONS
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY
Queensland,
Australia
ILEC
International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
Since 1975, our teaching and research have been focused on addressing the most important social and environmental issues of our time. Today, that mission is as relevant as ever.
Social and environmental responsibility drive everything we do, from pioneering teaching in modern Asian studies and environmental science to our long-time support for First Peoples, social justice and sustainable practices.
Consistently ranking in the top 2 per cent of universities globally, our degrees are designed with industry in mind, the future in our sights, and social impact at heart.
With more than 45,000 students, our community spans five campuses across South East Queensland plus our Digital campus, complemented by a global alumni network of over 200,000 graduates.
We know the world can, and should, be a better place—for everyone. And in helping thousands of different people create a brighter future for themselves, we're doing our part to create a brighter future for all.
The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation was established to seek exchanges of international knowledge and promote research that develops sustainable management of the world’s lakes and basins.
Population increases and industrialization surrounding the world’s lakes has induced an excess of the pollutant load, therefore degrading the water quality and ecosystems these lakes provide. Such issues prevail around the world and are acknowledged as common problems that must be addressed. In 1984, the World Lake Conference was organized at Otsu in Shiga Prefecture. Dr. Tolva, the secretary general of the United Nations Environment Programme declared the establishment of the “International Shiga Committee,” and the Government of Shiga Prefecture created ILEC.
Lakes, which contain about ninety percent of the surface freshwater (liquid) on Earth, are a vital water resource, constituting a rich and essential component of nature as well as providing a variety of benefits to human beings. Today, many lakes and other inland waters around the world are in critical condition and will be severely affected by global warming because of their lentic (static) nature as water systems.
In coping with these situations, ILEC has been promoting the sustainable management of lakes and their basins in collaboration with our worldwide counterparts from the academic, administrative and private sectors engaged in the conservation of lakes and other inland waters.
ILEC also promotes international cooperation and human resource development through hosting the World Lake Conference as well as various other training and educational activities.