Sustainable development is an intergeneration concept. It cannot be achieved without far-reaching visions, nor without specific knowledge, solutions, and actions. The academic world is witnessing strong tendencies of specialization and fragmentation; whereas the challenges to policy making lie in integration, interdisciplinarity, and broadness. From a narrow standpoint, many things appear "linear", with straightforward, one-directional causal relationships. In reality, however, they constitute complex interconnected networks with many feedbacks and cycles. A broad view is necessary when identifying such interconnections. The challenges to water-resources development in most parts of the world are increasing. Besides present tasks, the sector professionals should be encouraged to broaden their expertise from fragmented, highly specialized approaches to integrated, multidisciplinary ones.