Advanced IWRM Course

Barbados

September 17-28, 2007

Three CIMH personnel and fourteen specialists from the partner countries received training in Integrated Water Resources Management during this intensive two-week course co-delivered by McGill and CIMH at the CIMH campus in Barbados.

Comments from participants following the course best describe the level of success and relevance of the training provided:

“The knowledge gained from this session is tremendous and cannot be given a monetary value.”
“The materials presented definitely addressed the needs of my government in water management.”
“The facilities were excellent and the presenters were knowledgeable.”
“The material presented was relevant and will be useful to my agency. The information will help in carrying out duties more effectively.”
“CIMH is making a valiant effort with respect to IWRM. It is good to see that the issue of gender mainstreaming is being addressed.”
“It has been a very interesting, well coordinated training executed by a group of dedicated professionals.”

Topics covered

Day 1 Presentations: Introduction to course and IWRM

The first day of the Advanced IWRM course served as an introduction to the course ( Course Introduction [PDF] ), the participants, and the principles of IWRM and its contextual significance within the Caribbean. As part of the initial introductions, CIMH was presented with twenty-three books and water quality testing equipment purchased by CARIWIN to help strengthen its institutional capacity as a regional centre for hydrology and climatology (a centre that may aid in the betterment of water resources management).

The presentation that followed highlighted the principles, concepts, and tools (enabling environment, institutional roles, and management instruments) of IWRM ( Integrated Water Resources Management [PDF] ). The presentation was followed by a break-out session with country-oriented groups formed by the participants, where it was brainstormed on how the IWRM tools can be applied within each one of the partner countries (Grenada, Guyana, and Jamaica), as well as the host country of Barbados.

The afternoon session was highlighted by a presentation demonstrating some of the current applications of IWRM within the Caribbean ( IWRM in the Caribbean [PDF] ).

Hydrological Data and Measurements [PDF]

Day 11 Presentations: Gender and Water

The final day of presentations focused on the issue of gender and its implications for water resources management. The day began with a brainstorm and guided discussion around the meaning of gender, followed by addressing gender issues in water resources management ( Gender Issues in Water Management [PDF] ). These talks were led by individuals from both CIMH and McGill University. Linnette Vassell, a community water specialist from Jamaica, led the participants in a discussion of global issues in water and sanitation from a gender perspective to demonstrate that many facets of life have gender implications.

Attention returned to the presenters from CIMH and McGill, who presented an approach to mainstreaming and formulating a gender equality strategy ( Gender Mainstreaming [PDF] ) and subsequently presenting the GE strategy for CARIWIN. The day was capped off with a video presentation by Linnette, showcasing an example of gender and water issues in Jamaica.

Tags:

IWRM water resources management