Sustainable management of water resources is an important goal being adopted at national and international level in a bid to address water shortages, inequity, pollution and many other water problems. One of the key changes being adopted follows from the recognition that upstream/ downstream effects require management using a basin approach. As a result many countries are introducing new institutional arrangements for water resources management, including organizations to manage water resources at the basin level – (RBOs).
Creating new structures, or changing old ones, to meet the goals of integrated water resources management is not easy and there is evidence that the introduction of new river basin organizations does not run smoothly in many countries. In addition there is widespread uncertainty about what it means to implement the IWRM approach to water resources management on the ground.
Following from a series of case studies on River Basin Organisations, Cap-Net has developed a foundation training programme for the management of water resources. The approach has been to focus on the key functions essential for sustainable management of water resources and they represent the core responsibilities of a water management agency. Organisations tasked to carry out these functions at the river basin level may or may not be called RBOs. This foundation training programme forms the basis of the proposed training program
The purpose of this training program is to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the application of integrated water resources management (IWRM) for sustainable management and development of water resources, leading to water security.
The training is particularly targeted at the staff of river basin organisations (RBOs) within the region. Participants should be experience managers and/or trainers (with experiences and/or responsibility in training and/or RBO management) and are expected to take this training forward at the local or regional level and/or to use the knowledge in the management of their respective RBO. The expected number of participants is 30, respecting gender and geographic balance.
-A middle to senior level official currently engaged in water resources management and have present or future influence in water resources management activities and decisions;
-Willing and committed to take responsibility within the organization to promote and implement integrated river basin management; and
-Has a good command of English to be able to share experiences and participate in workshop discussions.
-Successful participants will be expected to complete a list of indicators for their basin prior to coming to the course.
Number of Participants
The number of participants is limited to 30. Around 12 participants, from the 8 developing Southeast Asian countries and Timor Leste, will be selected by the organizing parties for full sponsorship. An additional 16 places will also be offered to participants from the host country, Thailand.
This training of trainers’ course is a programme of AguaJaring, Southeast Asia and will be hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE)’s Department of Water Resources (DWR), Thailand, with the support of UNESCAP Bangkok and CapNET. The course is part of UNDP Cap-Net global programme of action, of which AguaJaring is an affiliated regional network.
The workshop will use adult learning tools, focusing on participants sharing their own experiences, and guided by the introduction of new conceptual approaches and tools. There will be a combination of short lectures, practical exercises, group work and discussion. The course will be supported by training materials developed by Cap-Net (www.cap-net.org). Contents will also be generated by other partners and course participants. Participants are encouraged (and expected) to bring in experiences with the application of water resources management for adaptation to climate variability. Modules will be supported by specific cases to be brought in by the capacity building networks. Each participant will be given the materials used in the training package containing useful resources introduced during the course.
The course will cover the following 10 thematic modules, as follows:
-Basic principles of IWRM;
-Water resource management functions;
-Water resource management indicators;
-Economic and financial instruments;
How to Apply
-Interested parties should complete the application form and submit toDepartment of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand.
The form to be addressed to Ms. Sukontha Aekaraj and copy to Ms. Parichart and Ms. Kanokwan (details shown below) before 15 June 2009. The network of DWR and Cap-Net will jointly decide on the successful participants to the course.
Cap-Net will cover the cost for selected participants from Southeast Asia developing countries comprising airfare, accommodation, per-diem and additional travel expenses. This scheme is eligible for participants coming from Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
Participants from Southeast Asia developed countries (Singapore and Brunei) may attend but shall bear the full cost on their own in attending the training.
Successful candidates are expected to complete the Cap-Net’s integrated river basin management indicators. The indicators could be found at the Cap-Net website, or could be e-mailed upon request by the organizing secretary.
Venue and Tentative Date
The training will take place on 27-31 July 2009, and is proposed to be held in Bangkok, with a one day study visit in a nearby province in Thailand.
Proposed Course Program
The training will be organized for 5 days, comprising 4 days of intense discussion and learning, and 1 day study visit. Details of training program could be seen below.
Please click for Programme Schedule
Please click for application form