The Chair of Senegal CWP and three members of the steering committee took part in the various activities related to the celebration of the World Water Day in the countries. The official ceremonies took place in Saint Louis this year. The CWP contributed in finalizing the official communications that were delivered in addition to contributing to the panel discussions. The scientific panel took place on the topic “Water and Employment” and presided by the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Mr. Mansour FAYE. Two communications were made on the topic one covering national data and the second one reflecting local situation.
The IDMP Project manager participated to the commemoration of the African Environment Day "Wangari Maathai Day" of the African Union in Addis Ababa from 1 to 06 March 2016. The opportunity was good to learn about several African initiatives driven by women and enable their empowerment and financial independence.
The Regional Technical Committee met for the first time since its establishment on 30 and 31 March 2016 in the offices of GWP / WA with the Secretariat and the President. The meeting allowed the members of the Technical Committee to update on the current dynamics within the GWP, in this transition period to the 2017-2019 work program in order to build its position to contribute in the way the most effective.
Pr. Abel AFOUDA visited the secretariat from 21 to 26 March 2016. He discussed with the personnel all issues from traditional running ones to project technical and planning issues.
The CWP Niger has coordinated with the consultants to send data in the framework of the Mékrou Project and tackling some burning issues in relation with data collection in the country.
A regional water youth network was created by participants to the recent Youth for Water Conference organised by GWP Central America, Movimiento de Jóvenes por el Agua (Youth Movement for Water, MOJA) and La Ruta del Clima (The Climate Route) and supported by GWP South America, UNICEF-Nicaragua, Reforestamos Mexico, and IUCN.
Dr. Nicole Bernex is a Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and a Member of the GWP Technical Committee. She has been active in the GWP network for many years, the past ten of them through GWP Peru. When asked to talk about a topic close to her heart, Dr. Bernex chooses a project that GWP has been running successfully in Peru for the past two years, the Santa Eulalia Water, Climate and Development Programme.
The Country Water Partnership of Burkina is looking for a site for its Integrated Drought Management Project (IDMP) pilot demonstration action. On March 21, 2016, a meeting was held with the authorities and technical services of the municipality of Komki –ipala to discuss the modalities, strategy and project start-up timing. After discussions it was agreed that the CWP should meet the Village Chief and landowners to explain the content and expectations and get their commitment despite the initial introduction that was already done. This meeting was done on March 25 in collaboration with the IDMP project Manager at reginal level.
The CWP Burkina organized a guided tour on Friday, March 4, 2016 on the pilot project on drip irrigation using solar energy on the site of Ramintenga in the municipality of Loumbila. Representatives of the town hall of Loumbila, the Regional Chamber of Agriculture (CRA) of the Central Plateau, the Regional Directorate in charge of Agriculture, hydraulics, sanitation and Food security (DRAHASA), the Malgb-Zanga Association, the local Water committee of Northern Massili, members of the SIDWAYA group, and CWP-Burkina took part in the tour.
On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the 23rd edition of the World Water Day was celebrated by the National Institute of water (INE) and CWP Benin with support from CARE, Abms PSI and water Company FIFA. A panel debate was organized on the Campus of the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC), in the presence of the Rector of the University Brice SINSIN on the theme “Water sector in Benin: What employment opportunities for young people?" in relation to the global topic “Water and Employment."