Seoul 7 December 2015-- Throughout and intensive training course representatives from local governments, utilities and public works recently gained understanding on comprehensive IUWM planning and sanitation.  26 participants (including 10 women) from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Lao PDR, Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, Vietnam, Mongolia, India and Samoa joined this course.

The course began with an overview of Integrated Water Management and the introduction of Korean practices for water management and sanitation.  Integrated Water Grid concepts were introduced and discussed with participants, as well as water and sanitation practices for controlling disease transmission.  The last part of the course focused on the implementation aspects and institutional development for effective water provision.  Participants acquired the tools to analyse their urban and institutional environments in order to select best choice opportunities for implementing IUWM and Sanitation. Finally, each country team prepared an action plan for implementation based on real case studies from their countries.

Lectures, workshops, group dynamics, site visits, simulation exercises and remote presentations were used as learning tools to facilitate learning and knowledge exchange. “The training was also a great opportunity to learn from our peers and their experiences dealing with challenges similar to the ones we encounter at home”, expressed Bui Thi Thuy, participant from Vietnam.

The Action Plans presentation at the end of the course revealed that participants feel now better prepared to address implementation gaps in water management and sanitation in their own countries. Systems inefficiency, lack of institutional coordination, lack of sanitation awareness and participation, were among the main issues hampering adequate provision of water and sanitation services.