Explain functioning of Global Water Partnership (GWP).
Answers
Explain functioning of Global Water Partnership (GWP).= The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international network created to foster an integrated approach to water resources management (IWRM). Its vision is for a water secure world. GWP offers practical advice for sustainably managing water resources.[1] It operates as a network, open to all organisations, including government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) was founded in 1996 by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency to foster Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and to ensure the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources by maximising economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital environmental systems. Its mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. The GWP provides a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue at global, regional, national and local levels to promote integrated approaches towards more sustainable water resources development, management and use.
Advantages
The Toolbox is a web-based learning instrument and therefore easily available
Both Toolbox and handbook do not provide a strict guideline one has to follow – they rather seek to provide knowledge and help for evolving problems in the context of IWRM on every level
Knowledge and experience-sharing for all IWRM-stakeholders on all levels
The concept of IWRM is explained in a very understandable way, even for those who are not involved into water management
Disadvantages
GWP does not provide a clear guidance for adapting IWRM on a local level
The terminology is sometimes quite technical and – in particular what concerns policy experts, requires advanced.
GWP has committed itself to facilitating the sustainable management of water resources by fostering information exchange and helping to match needs for solutions to water problems with available tools, assistance and resources. In order to be able to work together towards a common objective, there is a clear need for a common understanding of what is meant by IWRM among all those involved. WRM is a complex field of water (related) issues, the biggest challenge is the consideration of all stakeholder levels in an appropriate way. It has to be ensured that IWRM plans on different action-levels are connected and adapted to each other, taking care of issues and problems on each level. Therefore, an instrument (or policy mix) will need to be developed, not only to meet different policy goals, but also to ensure that local or sectoral actors do not operate in narrowly self interested ways (Rees 2006).
The GWP Toolbox comprises an organised collection of case studies, reference documents, external web sites and other supporting materials in water resources management, which have been submitted by various contributors and have been peer reviewed. The GWP Toolbox is intended to be an information exchange – experiences shared help to develop the body of knowledge which can enable all those engaged in water issues to work together to build water security and sustainable water for all. GWP has developed the Toolbox as a free access source of knowledge.
The Toolbox allows water related professionals to discuss and analyse the various elements of the IWRM process, and facilitates the prioritization of actions aimed at improving water governance and management. It aims to facilitate those professionals and specialists engage with a broader community for the solution of water related problems.
Altogether 54 different tools are presented in the GWP Toolbox. The tools are organised into three sections:
Firstly, those tools which create an “enabling environment” are presented; these are tools on water policies and their development, tools for the use in the development of water law; and finally tools which deal with financial resources to meet water needs.
The first section also constitutes the framework for other tools classified in the following section “institutional roles”. Here, tools regarding the form and function of institutions are presented, including the building of appropriate institutions and building capacity within these institutions.
Finally, the section “management instruments” presents several tools regarding the process of water management and planning. This section includes various tools: some for balancing water supply and demand, furthermore instruments for encouraging social change, tools for conflict management, instruments regarding the regulation of water, economic, market based instruments and finally tools in respect to information and knowledge management in IWRM.
The Toolbox is organised in a hierarchical manner with each tool embedded in the wider perspective of IWRM. The characteristics of each tool are described in the Toolbox such as to allow the user to select a suitable mix and sequence of tools that would work in a given country, context and situation. The problems faced by water managers are many and diverse, as are the political, social and economic conditions, so no blueprint for the application of IWRM can be given.