On June 24-26, 2024, the City of Bydgoszcz will host the World Canals Conference - WCC organized under the patronage and in cooperation with the Inland Waterways International. It is an annual event for inland waterways enthusiasts, held alternately in Europe, Asia and America (2019 – China, 2021 – USA, 2022 – Germany, 2025 - USA). It will give us another opportunity to continue discussion on development of inland waterways in Poland and to place in an international context.
We assume that Bydgoszcz will attract a broad pool of experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, representatives of public authorities and promoters of using inland waterways, also in terms of tourism. It will serve as an excellent platform for exchange of opinions, ideas and above all solutions applied in different countries. Finally, the WCC2024 will offer a possibility to build relations between all who use, maintain and develop inland waterways, not only in Poland.
In addition to meeting on the Brda and Vistula Rivers, participants will have an opportunity to visit other important sites of inland waterways in Poland during study trips organized within the conference
The River in Bydgoszcz flows through the very center of the city and many tourist attractions are concentrated around it. Thanks to the Brda River, there is a unique atmosphere, conducive to walks along the boulevards, cruises on the Brda River, thanks to which you can get to know various hydrotechnical devices. The Mill Island with branches of the District Museum, a cruise on a water tram through the locks on the river, historical (Bydgoszcz Cathedral, Polish Post) and modern (so-called Glass Granaries, Bydgoszcz Harbor, Opera Nova) buildings on the Brda River, numerous sports events (Triathlon Bydgoszcz, Bydgoska Water , Wielka Rowing) or cultural (River Music, Rudder for Bydgoszcz and many others), or simply the possibility of renting a canoe or a pedalo and exploring the center of Bydgoszcz from the river level are undoubtedly the advantages of our city. In addition, Lemara Barge and the exhibitions in the nearby Granaries tell the history of the development of Bydgoszcz thanks to the Brda River and river transport.

However, not all Bydgoszcz attractions are cumulated by the river. The unique and award-winning Exploseum and the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt co-create the TeH2O Water, Industry and Craft Trail in Bydgoszcz. It combines the stories of a dozen or so places that intertwine the fate of Bydgoszcz residents with the development of local industry and crafts.

Thanks to international air connections and a convenient network of roads and rail connections, Bydgoszcz is easy to get to, and the constantly developing, diverse accommodation and catering base will meet the expectations of the most demanding guests.
 
The 15th Bydgoszcz Water Festival "Ster na Bydgoszcz" 2024 is a one-of-a-kind event. We invite residents of the region, tourists, water sports and sailing enthusiasts. In the very center of Bydgoszcz, on a June weekend, we will celebrate the unusual location of Bydgoszcz at the meeting point of three rivers. The program will include permanent elements, such as the Watercraft Parade, the Great Bottle Race, and meetings with travelers. In addition, there are flyboard shows, animations and games for children, a food truck zone with cuisine from all over the world, shanty concerts and a disco under the stars. This is only part of what the organizer - the City of Bydgoszcz - has prepared. Participation in the event is free!
Just before WCC2024, we invite you to the next edition of Rudder! Festival on the Brda River, in the beautiful scenery of Młyńska Island, which ensures good fun in a travel and maritime atmosphere. June 22-23, 2024

Conference venues

Chamber Theatre

Zdjęcie miejsca
A place with entertainment traditions dating back to the mid-19th century. The restored building returned in 2022 as a Chamber Theater with a hall for over 230 people.

Rother Mills

Zdjęcie miejsca
The industrial spaces gained a new life as city's Center for Culture and Science. Exhibitions, events dedicated to the popularization of science, local heritage and creative meetings take place here.

Speakers

John Doe

Rafał Bruski

Mayor of Bydgoszcz
more
John Doe

Sharon Leighton

IWI President
more
John Doe

Piotr Głowski

Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Permanent Subcomm ...
more
John Doe

Michał Sztybel

Voivode of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region
more
John Doe

Mateusz Balcerowicz

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, State Water Holding Pol ...
more
John Doe

Zbigniew Ostrowski

Deputy Marshal of the Kujawsko- Pomorskie Region
more
John Doe

Łukasz Krupa

Deputy Mayor of Bydgoszcz
more
John Doe

Hartmut Ginnow-Merkert

Unser Finowkanal e.V.
more
John Doe

Huijun Wang

Chief Editor & Journalist of Grand Canal Media
more
John Doe

Monika Niemiec-Butryn

Deputy Director of the Department of Maritime Economy a ...
more
John Doe

Duncan Hay

Historian
more
John Doe

Stanisław Drzewiecki

Municipal waterworks and sewage systems, CEO
more
John Doe

Shi Wang

Honorary Chairman & Founder, Vanke Co., Ltd. Chairman o ...
more
John Doe

Piotr Durajczyk

Director of the Office of Inland Navigation in Szczecin
more
John Doe

Rebecca Hughes

Executive Deputy Director for the New York State Canal ...
more
John Doe

John Paterson

Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Canals
more
John Doe

Roemer Goossensen

Noah Water Solutions
more
John Doe

Richard Millar

Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Canals
more
John Doe

Alberto Bosino

University of Milan-Bicocca
more
John Doe

Artur Magnuszewski

University of Warsaw
more
John Doe

David Edwards-May

IWI Past President
more
John Doe

Valentina-Mariana Manoiu

University of Bucharest, Romania
more
John Doe

Nicole Kretschmer

Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration
more
John Doe

Wojciech Płaska

State Water Holding Polish Waters
more
John Doe

Thomas Vonier

Senior Architect, Former President UIA / International ...
more
John Doe

Daireann McDonnell

Senior Ecologist, Waterways Ireland
more
John Doe

Noémi Mené

AIVP, the international network of port cities
more
John Doe

Rafał Wasil

Marshal's Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, member ...
more
John Doe

Patrycja Walichnowska

Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology
more
John Doe

Krzysztof Niezabitowski

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
more
John Doe

Slawek Kulikowski

Head of Innovation, BTIC Bydgoszcz, ATOS GDC Poland
more
John Doe

Michal Habel

Nadwiślański Związek Pracodawców LEWIATAN
more
John Doe

Hanna Michniewicz-Ankiersztajn

more
John Doe

Robert Banasiak

prof. IMGW-PIB
more
John Doe

Karol Mieczkin

Inland Waterways International
more
John Doe

Paweł Gełesz

PhD, Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk
more
John Doe

Yasmina Benferhat

University of Lorraine
more
John Doe

Joseph Moloughney

New York State Canal Corporation
more
John Doe

Harald Kuhnle

Kuhnle Group, Blue Charge GmhH 
more
John Doe

Emiliya Hamidova

PhD student, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
more
John Doe

Tomáš Kolařík

Director, Plavba a vodní cesty o.p.s.
more
John Doe

Marta Łapuszek

Kraków University of Technology
more
John Doe

Antonio Raschi

CNR-Institute for BioEconomy
more
John Doe

Dawid Szatten

Vice-Dean for Education Faculty of Geographical Science ...
more
John Doe

Wiktor Karczewski

Subtower, Project Manager and Solution Architect, Atos
more
John Doe

Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka

Nicolaus Copernicus University
more
John Doe

Cheng Hao

Grand Tour Education Technology (Beijing) Co. , Ltd.
more
John Doe

Adam Stańczyk

Dyrektor Departamentu Planowania Rozwoju i Innowacji, U ...
more
John Doe

Aleksandra Sztuka-Tulińska

Deputy Director, Łódź City Hall
more
John Doe

Remigiusz Dzikowski

Maritime University of Szczecin
more
John Doe

Krzysztof Dudek

more
John Doe

Stanisław Wroński

more
John Doe

Julia Wleklińska

Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology
more
John Doe

Mariusz Barczak

University of Economy
more
John Doe

Rituparna Acharyya

Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland
more
John Doe

Mila Burchart

senior programme specialist at Rother's Mills Centre fo ...
more
John Doe

Anna Dylewska-Domiza

The Navicula Association of Elblag Canal Admirers
more
John Doe

Monika Szymańska-Walkiewicz

Kazimierz Wielki University
more
John Doe

Damian Ciepłowski

General Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
more
John Doe

Piotr Weckwerth

Turystyka BEZ FILTRÓW
more
John Doe

Jakub Łyczek

Rother's Mills
more
John Doe

Sławomir Dylewski

Navicula Association of Elblag Canal Admirers
more
John Doe

Anna Sosnowska

Warsaw University of Technology
more
John Doe

Ewelina Orysiak

Maritime University of Szczecin
more
John Doe

Marta Bukolt

Projekt Zabytek
more
John Doe

Anna Klimach

Assistant Professor, University of Warmia and Mazury in ...
more
John Doe

Tomasz Izajasz

Historian, teacher, curator of the Bydgoszcz Canal Muse ...
more
John Doe

Ahmet Yildirim

doctorate student
more
John Doe

Maciej Dutkiewicz

Professor at Bydgoszcz University of Science and Techno ...
more
John Doe

Michał Frąszczak

more
John Doe

Marta Brzezińska

more
John Doe

Mu Qing

more
John Doe

Radosław Michna

more
John Doe

Daria Jasińska

more
John Doe

Michał Cichoracki

more
John Doe

Agnieszka Kowalkowska

more
John Doe

Tomasz Miłowski

more
John Doe

Kinga Puchowska

more
Register as a speaker

Programme



12:00
20:00
Bydgoszcz Water Festival
The Bydgoszcz Water Festival is a one-of-a-kind. Located in the beautiful scenery of the Mill Island, it has been organised in our city since 2008. We are preparing a lot of new things for you, but of course there will be some regular elements of the Festival, such as the Great Bottle Race or meetings with travelers. The Festival has also excellent music.
Great food, travel and entertainment for everyone
Everyone will find something for themselves at the festival - fans of gastronomy and new flavors will definitely like the food truck zone with cuisine from all over the world. There will be numerous workshops and classes for children, all with a common denominator - water. But that's not all! The beach will once again turn into a paradise island with a sea atmosphere - it will be an ideal place for relaxation and music.
Click here for the detailed festival program: Bydgoszcz Water Festival
Show location
12:00
20:00
Bydgoszcz Water Festival
The Bydgoszcz Water Festival is a one-of-a-kind. Located in the beautiful scenery of the Mill Island, it has been organised in our city since 2008. We are preparing a lot of new things for you, but of course there will be some regular elements of the Festival, such as the Great Bottle Race or meetings with travelers. The Festival has also excellent music.
Great food, travel and entertainment for everyone
Everyone will find something for themselves at the festival - fans of gastronomy and new flavors will definitely like the food truck zone with cuisine from all over the world. There will be numerous workshops and classes for children, all with a common denominator - water. But that's not all! The beach will once again turn into a paradise island with a sea atmosphere - it will be an ideal place for relaxation and music.
Click here for the detailed festival program: Bydgoszcz Water Festival
Show location
12:00
20:00
Bydgoszcz Water Festival
The Bydgoszcz Water Festival is a one-of-a-kind. Located in the beautiful scenery of the Mill Island, it has been organised in our city since 2008. We are preparing a lot of new things for you, but of course there will be some regular elements of the Festival, such as the Great Bottle Race or meetings with travelers. The Festival has also excellent music.
Great food, travel and entertainment for everyone
Everyone will find something for themselves at the festival - fans of gastronomy and new flavors will definitely like the food truck zone with cuisine from all over the world. There will be numerous workshops and classes for children, all with a common denominator - water. But that's not all! The beach will once again turn into a paradise island with a sea atmosphere - it will be an ideal place for relaxation and music.
Click here for the detailed festival program: Bydgoszcz Water Festival
Show location
12:00
20:00
Bydgoszcz Water Festival
The Bydgoszcz Water Festival is a one-of-a-kind. Located in the beautiful scenery of the Mill Island, it has been organised in our city since 2008. We are preparing a lot of new things for you, but of course there will be some regular elements of the Festival, such as the Great Bottle Race or meetings with travelers. The Festival has also excellent music.
Great food, travel and entertainment for everyone
Everyone will find something for themselves at the festival - fans of gastronomy and new flavors will definitely like the food truck zone with cuisine from all over the world. There will be numerous workshops and classes for children, all with a common denominator - water. But that's not all! The beach will once again turn into a paradise island with a sea atmosphere - it will be an ideal place for relaxation and music.
Click here for the detailed festival program: Bydgoszcz Water Festival
Show location
11:00
12:40
Plenary session | Part I
Tomasz Izajasz
Łukasz Krupa
Huijun Wang
Hartmut Ginnow-Merkert
Sharon Leighton
The session is focused on presentation of the city hosting the Conference, namely the city of Bydgoszcz, situated on the junction of inland waterways of international importance.
 
Connection between the Vistula River Basin in the east with the Oder River Basin in the west was possible thanks to construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal in 1773–1774, which celebrates its semiquincentennial in the year of the conference. The topics of plenary addresses will feature challenges and opportunities resulting from establishment and functioning of this waterway for two and a half centuries, with a special emphasis on significance of the Bydgoszcz Canal in the system of international inland waterways.

- Bydgoszcz, a city by the river, Deputy Mayor of Bydgoszcz
- Inland Waterways International and the annual World Canals Conference: sharing waterway heritage and innovation on a global scale, Sharon Leighton
- The Bydgoszcz Canal - 250 years of history, Tomasz Izajasz
- Celebrating cross-border history, Prof. Hartmut Ginnow-Merkert
- Promoting Sustainable Development Among Canal Cities, Huijun Wang
13:00
15:00
Plenary session | Part II
Duncan Hay
Monika Niemiec-Butryn
Piotr Durajczyk
Shi Wang
Stanisław Drzewiecki
Part II of the session is dedicated to plans for development of inland waterways in Poland and around the world, in the context of 21st-century ecological and economic challenges. Climate change and intensified pressure from human activities result in constant stress experienced by aquatic environment and all components related to it.
- Plans for the development of inland waterways in Poland in the context of KPŻ2030, Monika Niemiec-Butryn
- Improving access to New York’s canals for human-powered watercraft, Duncan Hay
- Construction and reconstruction of storm sewage systems and adaptation of the storm sewage system to climat changes in the city of Bydgoszcz, Stanisław Drzeiecki
- Unleashing the transformation of net zero communities in canal cities, Shi Wang
- Implementation of the RIS system in Poland, Piotr Durajczyk 
16:15
20:00
Excursions - Bydgoszcz Canal 24/06
Bydgoszcz Canal | 250th anniversary of construction
- boat trip from the city center to the Bydgoszcz Canal
- visiting one of the passed locks
- a walk along the Old Bydgoszcz Canal
- visit to the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum
The Bydgoszcz Canal is the oldest inland waterways canal in Poland that is still navigable. During the trip, participants will have a boat tour  cruise along the Bydgoszcz Canal, passing through three locks, including the deepest locks on the entire Canal. Guests will walk through the unique Planty Park - a city park on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal - to the Canal Museum. The curator of the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum, together with our guides, will tell a story about the power of inland waterway. After the cruise and sightseeing, guests will be treated to a barbecue dinner. 

Itinerary:
16:00 - meeting with the guide, boarding the boat Slonecznik - an ecological ship powered by solar energy, cruise through the historic City Lock Brda and the Bydgoski Canal to the Czyżkówko Lock on the New Bydgoszcz Canal, one of the deepest hydrotechnical structures - locks on the Bydgoszcz Canal built in 1915.
17:30 - arrival and walk along the green belt by the Old Bydgoszcz Canal to the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum, tour of the Museum with a museum guide. 
The Bydgoszcz Canal Museum is located in a former kindergarten building at  Staroszkolna street, between locks IV and V, about 100 meters from the bed of the old section of the Bydgoszcz Canal. In the museum you can see photos and exhibits showing the Bydgoszcz Canal, work and everyday life on the Canal and the Brda River.
19:30 - barbecue dinner (homemade meat products, i.e. sausage, black pudding, pork neck, vegetable skewers, smoked cheese, bread, pickles, non-alcoholic drink, sauces such as ketchup and mustard, vegetarian version and for people with intolerances will be determined individually)
21:00  – return on foot or by bus to the meeting point
16:15
21:00
Excursions - Brdyujście 24/06
Excursions - Brdyujście
A stroll around the mouth of the Brda River towards the Vistula, located at a distance of 10 kilometers from the city center, presents an opportunity to explore the local hydrotechnical facilities, including the Brdyujcie and Czersko Polskie locks, the lockkeeper's house, and the cylindrical weir and its power plant.
During the trip, participants will have a unique opportunity to sail on the Vistula and Brda rivers. We will sail through the lock that connects the Brda and Vistula rivers and disembark at hydrotechnical buildings such as the historic cylindrical weir and the Brdyujście lock. During the cruise, participants will cross the Brda River to the city center, to Mill Island. During the cruise, guests will be able to taste fish snacks and drinks.

Itinerary:
16:00 – meeting with the guide, bus transfer to the marina to Stary Fordon. The marina is nominated for the Modernization of the Year award. The entire quay has been modernized and prepared to accommodate vessels. The waterfront also serves recreational purposes. 
16:30 – boarding the ship and cruise along the Vistula to the Brdyujście Lock. Guests will have wooden, covered Vistula boats at their disposal. Fish snacks and unlimited coffee and tea will be available on the boats.
During the cruise, a visit to the cylindrical weir on Brdyujście and the lock buildings: Brdyujście lock and Czersko Polskie lock. 
The Brdyujście Lock is a hydrotechnical monument built in 1879. It made it possible to overcome a level difference of over 2 m. In 2002, the Brdyujście Lock was replaced by the Czersko Polskie Lock. 
A cylindrical weir is a hydrotechnical device used for damming water on rivers and canals. The Czersko Polskie weir is located in the area of the mouth of the Brda River and the Vistula River, on the "Czersko Polskie" water stage opening the Vistula-Odra waterway. It is the oldest cylindrical weir in Poland. It is a unique work of hydrotechnical construction in Poland and Europe, maintained in technically efficient condition, in its original shape from the beginning of the 20th century.
21:00 - arrival at Mill Island and end of the trip
16:15
21:00
Excursions - Lower Vistula Valley 24/06
Excursions: Lower Vistula Valley with a visit to a local vineyard
The vineyard Przy Talerzyku is located in the town of Topolno, near the Talerzyk stronghold from the 11th century. It is located in the Lower Vistula Valley - proglacial Valley, from where there is a view of the phenomenal meanders of the river. The vineyard is only 33 km away from Bydgoszcz towards Gdańsk. The vineyard at Talerzyk refers to the history of Kuyavian-Pomeranian viticulture and monastic wine-making traditions dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. During the visit, wine tasting and refreshments with cold snacks made of local products.

Itinerary:
16:00 - arrival of a comfortable coach and departure to the Lower Vistula Valley, a ride along the Vistula route accompanied by a guide's story about the history of the region, its inhabitants, their traditions and cuisine
17:30 – arrival in Topolno – Winnica przy Talerzyku – sightseeing and tasting of wines and cheeses from a local cheese factory. 
The vineyard at Talerzyku is located in the town of Topolno, near the Talerzyk stronghold from the 11th century. It is located in the Lower Vistula Valley - proglacial valley, from where there is a view of the phenomenal meanders of the river. The vineyard is only 33 km away from Bydgoszcz towards Gdańsk. The vineyard at Talerzyku refers to the history of Kuyavian-Pomeranian viticulture and monastic wine-making traditions dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. 
During the visit, refreshments with cold snacks (meat and vegetarian snacks: mini burgers with pulled pork and shrimps, vegetable pastes, bread made from ancient varieties of flour and a buffet) and unlimited coffee and tea.
20:00 – departure from Topolno
21:00 – arrival in Bydgoszcz
16:15
20:00
Excursions - Bydgoszcz Canal 24/06
Bydgoszcz Canal | 250th anniversary of construction
- boat trip from the city center to the Bydgoszcz Canal
- visiting one of the passed locks
- a walk along the Old Bydgoszcz Canal
- visit to the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum
The Bydgoszcz Canal is the oldest inland waterways canal in Poland that is still navigable. During the trip, participants will have a boat tour  cruise along the Bydgoszcz Canal, passing through three locks, including the deepest locks on the entire Canal. Guests will walk through the unique Planty Park - a city park on the Old Bydgoszcz Canal - to the Canal Museum. The curator of the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum, together with our guides, will tell a story about the power of inland waterway. After the cruise and sightseeing, guests will be treated to a barbecue dinner. 

Itinerary:
16:00 - meeting with the guide, boarding the boat Slonecznik - an ecological ship powered by solar energy, cruise through the historic City Lock Brda and the Bydgoski Canal to the Czyżkówko Lock on the New Bydgoszcz Canal, one of the deepest hydrotechnical structures - locks on the Bydgoszcz Canal built in 1915.
17:30 - arrival and walk along the green belt by the Old Bydgoszcz Canal to the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum, tour of the Museum with a museum guide. 
The Bydgoszcz Canal Museum is located in a former kindergarten building at  Staroszkolna street, between locks IV and V, about 100 meters from the bed of the old section of the Bydgoszcz Canal. In the museum you can see photos and exhibits showing the Bydgoszcz Canal, work and everyday life on the Canal and the Brda River.
19:30 - barbecue dinner (homemade meat products, i.e. sausage, black pudding, pork neck, vegetable skewers, smoked cheese, bread, pickles, non-alcoholic drink, sauces such as ketchup and mustard, vegetarian version and for people with intolerances will be determined individually)
21:00  – return on foot or by bus to the meeting point
16:15
21:00
Excursions - Brdyujście 24/06
Excursions - Brdyujście
A stroll around the mouth of the Brda River towards the Vistula, located at a distance of 10 kilometers from the city center, presents an opportunity to explore the local hydrotechnical facilities, including the Brdyujcie and Czersko Polskie locks, the lockkeeper's house, and the cylindrical weir and its power plant.
During the trip, participants will have a unique opportunity to sail on the Vistula and Brda rivers. We will sail through the lock that connects the Brda and Vistula rivers and disembark at hydrotechnical buildings such as the historic cylindrical weir and the Brdyujście lock. During the cruise, participants will cross the Brda River to the city center, to Mill Island. During the cruise, guests will be able to taste fish snacks and drinks.

Itinerary:
16:00 – meeting with the guide, bus transfer to the marina to Stary Fordon. The marina is nominated for the Modernization of the Year award. The entire quay has been modernized and prepared to accommodate vessels. The waterfront also serves recreational purposes. 
16:30 – boarding the ship and cruise along the Vistula to the Brdyujście Lock. Guests will have wooden, covered Vistula boats at their disposal. Fish snacks and unlimited coffee and tea will be available on the boats.
During the cruise, a visit to the cylindrical weir on Brdyujście and the lock buildings: Brdyujście lock and Czersko Polskie lock. 
The Brdyujście Lock is a hydrotechnical monument built in 1879. It made it possible to overcome a level difference of over 2 m. In 2002, the Brdyujście Lock was replaced by the Czersko Polskie Lock. 
A cylindrical weir is a hydrotechnical device used for damming water on rivers and canals. The Czersko Polskie weir is located in the area of the mouth of the Brda River and the Vistula River, on the "Czersko Polskie" water stage opening the Vistula-Odra waterway. It is the oldest cylindrical weir in Poland. It is a unique work of hydrotechnical construction in Poland and Europe, maintained in technically efficient condition, in its original shape from the beginning of the 20th century.
21:00 - arrival at Mill Island and end of the trip
16:15
21:00
Excursions - Lower Vistula Valley 24/06
Excursions: Lower Vistula Valley with a visit to a local vineyard
The vineyard Przy Talerzyku is located in the town of Topolno, near the Talerzyk stronghold from the 11th century. It is located in the Lower Vistula Valley - proglacial Valley, from where there is a view of the phenomenal meanders of the river. The vineyard is only 33 km away from Bydgoszcz towards Gdańsk. The vineyard at Talerzyk refers to the history of Kuyavian-Pomeranian viticulture and monastic wine-making traditions dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. During the visit, wine tasting and refreshments with cold snacks made of local products.

Itinerary:
16:00 - arrival of a comfortable coach and departure to the Lower Vistula Valley, a ride along the Vistula route accompanied by a guide's story about the history of the region, its inhabitants, their traditions and cuisine
17:30 – arrival in Topolno – Winnica przy Talerzyku – sightseeing and tasting of wines and cheeses from a local cheese factory. 
The vineyard at Talerzyku is located in the town of Topolno, near the Talerzyk stronghold from the 11th century. It is located in the Lower Vistula Valley - proglacial valley, from where there is a view of the phenomenal meanders of the river. The vineyard is only 33 km away from Bydgoszcz towards Gdańsk. The vineyard at Talerzyku refers to the history of Kuyavian-Pomeranian viticulture and monastic wine-making traditions dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. 
During the visit, refreshments with cold snacks (meat and vegetarian snacks: mini burgers with pulled pork and shrimps, vegetable pastes, bread made from ancient varieties of flour and a buffet) and unlimited coffee and tea.
20:00 – departure from Topolno
21:00 – arrival in Bydgoszcz
11:00
12:40
Plenary session | Part I
Tomasz Izajasz
Łukasz Krupa
Huijun Wang
Hartmut Ginnow-Merkert
Sharon Leighton
The session is focused on presentation of the city hosting the Conference, namely the city of Bydgoszcz, situated on the junction of inland waterways of international importance.
 
Connection between the Vistula River Basin in the east with the Oder River Basin in the west was possible thanks to construction of the Bydgoszcz Canal in 1773–1774, which celebrates its semiquincentennial in the year of the conference. The topics of plenary addresses will feature challenges and opportunities resulting from establishment and functioning of this waterway for two and a half centuries, with a special emphasis on significance of the Bydgoszcz Canal in the system of international inland waterways.

- Bydgoszcz, a city by the river, Deputy Mayor of Bydgoszcz
- Inland Waterways International and the annual World Canals Conference: sharing waterway heritage and innovation on a global scale, Sharon Leighton
- The Bydgoszcz Canal - 250 years of history, Tomasz Izajasz
- Celebrating cross-border history, Prof. Hartmut Ginnow-Merkert
- Promoting Sustainable Development Among Canal Cities, Huijun Wang
13:00
15:00
Plenary session | Part II
Duncan Hay
Monika Niemiec-Butryn
Piotr Durajczyk
Shi Wang
Stanisław Drzewiecki
Part II of the session is dedicated to plans for development of inland waterways in Poland and around the world, in the context of 21st-century ecological and economic challenges. Climate change and intensified pressure from human activities result in constant stress experienced by aquatic environment and all components related to it.
- Plans for the development of inland waterways in Poland in the context of KPŻ2030, Monika Niemiec-Butryn
- Improving access to New York’s canals for human-powered watercraft, Duncan Hay
- Construction and reconstruction of storm sewage systems and adaptation of the storm sewage system to climat changes in the city of Bydgoszcz, Stanisław Drzeiecki
- Unleashing the transformation of net zero communities in canal cities, Shi Wang
- Implementation of the RIS system in Poland, Piotr Durajczyk 
10:50
12:10
Man and human activities | Part 1
Anna Klimach
Karol Mieczkin
Hanna Michniewicz-Ankiersztajn
Marta Brzezińska
Man and human activities constitutes an inseparable component of relations between people and aquatic environment, including rivers and canals. Presentations during the session will focus on determination of a catalog of human impacts on the environment in time and space. In addition, the session will feature revitalization projects of rivers, canals and waterways, to counteract the negative effects, both past and present.
- Social aspects of hydrotechnical investments in mountain areas on the example of the reservoir Wilkówka (Beskid Mały), Hanna Michniewicz - Ankiersztajn, PhD
- Restriction of use in the protected landscape area on the Łyna River and the exercise of ownership, Anna Klimach, PhD
- Former plans and future prospects for the development of inland waterways in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Karol Mieczkin
- Changes in the hydrographic network of the Dolna Noteć River over the last 200 years, Marta Brzezińska
10:50
12:10
Water, Heritage and Tourism | Part 1
Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka
Anna Sosnowska
Radosław Michna
Jakub Łyczek
Mila Burchart
Presentations during the session Water, Heritage and Tourism will be dedicated to tourist and recreational use of rivers and canals as one of the essential meanings of combining economy with the environment.
- The voice of cultural institutions in the discourse on the city-forming role of rivers, Jakub Łyczek
- Current condition of Pisz - Warsaw waterway, Anna Sosnowska
- History of the Bydgoszcz Canal in the context of sources from the The Secret State Archives Prussian Cultural Heritage in Berlin-Dahlem (Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz in Berlin-Dahlem), dr Radosław Michna
- The impact of hydrological conditions on the functioning of inland navigation in Poland, Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka
10:50
12:10
Ecology and Technologies | Part 1
Ahmet Yildirim
Patrycja Walichnowska
Ewelina Orysiak
Joseph Moloughney
Presentations during the session Ecology and Technologies will be dedicated to environmental topics related to rivers and canals, including preservation of resources and ecosystems as well as advanced sustainable technologies.
- Eco-ductile cement composites modified by RCS and FA as sustainable material for water canal structures, Ahmet Yildirim
- Development of innovative technologies for houseboats with increased energy and living autonomy, Adam Mroziński
- Using Operational Changes at Historic Infrastructure to Mitigate the Spread of Invasive Species, Joseph Moloughney


 
12:30
15:00
Man and human activities | Part 2
Cheng Hao
Emiliya Hamidova
Dawid Szatten
Rituparna Acharyya
Stanisław Wroński
Wojciech Płaska
Rebecca Hughes
Man and human activities constitutes an inseparable component of relations between people and aquatic environment, including rivers and canals. Presentations during the session will focus on determination of a catalog of human impacts on the environment in time and space. In addition, the session will feature revitalization projects of rivers, canals and waterways, to counteract the negative effects, both past and present.
- Urbanization and flooding events, a biunivocal relation? The Seveso River case study (N-Italy), Emiliya Hamidova
- Fluvial processes on the river channel below the dam, Dawid Szatten
- Morphological Evolution of the Hooghly Estuary and Its Implications on Shipping Channels, Rituparna Acharyya
- Revitalizing New York’s Historic Erie Canal for its Third Century of Operation, Rebecca Hughes
- Administration of inland waterways in Poland, Wojciech Płaska
- Connecting the World's youth through the Cloud Grand Canal, Cheng Hao
12:30
15:00
Water, Heritage and Tourism | Part 2
Nicole Kretschmer
Tomasz Miłowski
Alberto Bosino
Mu Qing
Yasmina Benferhat
Thomas Vonier
Paweł Gełesz
Presentations during the session Water, Heritage and Tourism will be dedicated to tourist and recreational use of rivers and canals as one of the essential meanings of combining economy with the environment. 
- Assistive technologies and inclusive practices improving accessibility of water edu-tourism among the Blind and Visually-impaired students in the area of Bydgoszcz Water Canal and Bydgoszcz Hydrographic node, Michał Frąszczak, MA
- What makes canals successful tourist attractions?, Thomas Vonier
- Fun, fun, fun with water since the Roman times, PD Dr Yasmina, Marie Benferhat
- Modern inland vessels as heritage carriers, Paweł Gełesz, PhD
- Rivers and canals as art elements: observing the paintings in a geomorphological perspective, dr Alberto Bosino
- Development of Secondary Waterways, Waterborne Tourism Division of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Agency (GDWS), Nicole Kretschmer