Sharing news: AWARD shares learning support material at WIN-SA workshop

The Water Information Network of South Africa (WIN-SA) hosted a Lesson Learning Workshop on 27/28th February 2007 in Johannesburg, with the theme “Water Services for Growth and Development”. Some 140 participants were drawn from a range of levels and roles across the country: national, provincial and local government, NGOs, CBOs and academic institutions. One of the topics of the workshop was ”multiple uses of water” facilitated by the NGO AWARD (Association for Water and Rural Development). The session made use of a set of learning support materials on water and livelihoods, that AWARD has developed to support its work with the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The materials introduce people to the basic concepts of livelihoods, the role of water in livelihoods, and how a multiple use approach can respond to needs. The booklet includes a series of exercises and questions that participants worked through in buzz groups. Most participants responded with excitement to this introduction, but it was noted that many participants weren’t familiar with some of the terminology we take for granted sometimes, such as “water for livelihoods” and “multiple use services”. It was a good reminder that we need to be careful when sharing new concepts. Participants rated this session as one of the best of the workshop, as it introduced useful concepts, in a manner that allowed them to really learn, and because it was not yet another hour-long Power Point presentation.

The Learning Support materials can be downloaded from www.musproject.net/page/943, or contact Tessa Cousins. The results of the workshop, which also included a presentation by DWAF on the policy guidelines it is developing, and one by Barbara van Koppen (IWMI) on international experiences with multiple uses will be made available on the WIN-SA website: www.win-sa.org.za