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MARSHALLING
GLOBAL RESOURCES MORE EFFECTIVELY TO SOLVE WATER PROBLEMS IN THE
DEVELOPING WORLD:
The U.N. General Assembly has
called "for the highest priority to be given to freshwater problems facing
many regions, especially in the developing
world."
Such problems contribute to a
growing toll each year, including the deaths of 2.9 million children. By U.N.
estimates, two thirds of humanity will confront a shortage of safe water by
2025.
The International Network on Water,
Environment and Health is a new member of the United Nations University family
of organizations. Created in 1996 with core funding from the Government of
Canada, it works with developing countries to strengthen the knowledge, local
know-how and institutional capacity needed to improve access to safe water. The
Network brings a multi-disciplinary, ecosystem-based approach to water and
watershed research and management.
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Core
Services to Developing Countries
 | Capacity building
projects from concept and plan through development and delivery; |
| Funding to identify
and plan water related projects; |
| Training in Integrated
Water Resources Management; |
| Aquatic research and
its application; |
| Technology
development, demonstration and transfer; |
| Strategic planning and
policy development from an ecosystem perspective; |
| Aquatic science
assessments; |
| Collection and sharing
of information, research and experience; |
| Capacity building
assistance for environmental enterprises. |
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WHAT
THE NETWORK DOES:
UNU/INWEH helps developing countries
conceive, develop and manage projects and programs that build human and
institutional water management capacity, contributing in the process to improved
health and reduced poverty.
This global Network is a
growing, multi-disciplinary team of water pollution and management experts. UNU/INWEH
serves as an authoritative "knowledge broker" for on-the-ground
work in developing countries.
It operates with minimal overhead
and the flexibility to assemble experts from different disciplines and countries
with the precise skills needed to meet a given challenge.
Partners include other U.N.
agencies, academic institutions, government and non-governmental organizations,
and private sector companies.
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Human
Resource Development:
Among the greatest
needs in developing nations is training of people every countrys
most valuable resource. Human development is therefore fundamental to
each UNU/INWEH project and programme.
Emphasis is placed on
training those who, in turn, will teach others, thereby helping
developing countries better meet ongoing needs in
such areas as environmental monitoring, regulatory development and
enforcement, information collection and dissemination, and aquatic
science.
Know-how is transferred as
well through capacity-building projects, with a stress on fostering
"south-to-south" interaction between people in developing
countries.
With the launch of its
"Virtual Learning Centre for Water" (2003), UNU/INWEH will
offer an online, 10-course curriculum on Integrated Water Resource
Management. This UNU diploma course is being presented in cooperation
with the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs at training
centers in several world regions
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While projects are
coordinated by a small team of professionals at UNU/INWEHs
headquarters at McMaster University in Canada, International Cooperating
Units are being established in selected developing countries to serve as
regional focal points for projects, training, distance education, and
information dissemination. The first regional unit is open in Amman,
Jordan . |
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THE FOUR
PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
UNU/INWEH operates on the
philosophy that four inter- related abilities are essential for
sustainable water stewardship .
These are the capacities
to educate and train
to measure and understand aquatic systems
to legislate, regulate and achieve compliance
to provide infrastructure, services and products .
This simple framework is an
effective tool for integrated planning, consensus building and equitable
participation by stakeholders. It can be used at all levels of society
and for a wide range of issues. Developed by UNU/INWEH, the "Four
Pillars" model guides implementation of all its activities.
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WHO
WE ARE
The U.N.
University, headquartered in Japan, is a uniquely structured
institution that carries out its work through a world-wide
network of research and training centers and programs, and
through associated and cooperating institutions.
The
hub of the U.N. University International Network
on Water, Environment and Health is located at McMaster
University in Hamilton, Canada, and is staffed by a small
team of professionals, experienced in organizational
development and management in the water sector.
The overall
direction of the Network is guided by an Intern a t i o n a
l Advisory Committee of acknowledged public, academic and
private sector experts from around the globe.
SUCCESS
TO DATE
In UNU/INWEHs
first few years, training and capacity-building projects
involving 22 countries have been undertaken. Some highlights
:
The
UNU African Centre for Aquatic Research and Development,
Malawi
Information/decision-support model (with follow-up
training), Lake Malawi watershed
Pioneering
water quality monitoring program, Lake Victoria, Africa
Institutional and human capacity assessment, Palestinian
Environment Ministry
Nitrate
pollution (Blue-Baby Syndrome) research analysis, Syria
Wastewater/biosolids
management program, Juarez Mexico
Co-design
U.N. World Water Development Report, meta-database
development support
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JOINING
THE NETWORK
The
Network is committed to success in three areas:
Initiate and manage water-related projects that
build capacity to protect the environment and human
health (with priority initially on projects in
Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America);
Develop core teams of public, academic and private
sector experts;
Establish sustainable funding to support and expand
services.
UNU/INWEH
seeks partnerships with individuals, agencies,
institutions and enterprises with compatible
interests and capabilities.
For more
inform a t i o n : U.N. University International
Network on Water, Environment and Health,
McMaster University
Downtown Centre, 1st Floor
Hamilton, Ontario
CANADA L8S 4L8
Telephone:
+1-905-525-9140, Extension 24517
Fax:
+1-905-529-4261
E-mail:
contact@inweh.unu.edu
Website:
www.inweh.unu.edu
PHOTO
CREDIT: UNEP - INTERNATIONAL PHOTO COMPETITION
ON THE ENVIRONMENT 1994 - 95
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