Session B: Acting in parralel for a common goal

"It is expected that the group discussions will give the audience an overview of challenges and opportunities on meeting the sanitation target of the MDG's in the West African context and with a sustainability focus, as well as addressing the necessity of capacity development for achievement of the sanitation target of the MDG's in a sustainable way. The keynote speakers will give further insights into the issue, with a special focus on technical and human resources aspects".

Panel group discussion 1:

Achieving the MDGs in sanitation in Africa: Force and weak points-constraints and opportunities

 

Two main questions were targeted during this panel session:

• What are the majors barriers for going "to scale"?
• What is and what can de done to overcome these barriers?

Main barrier for going to scale was mentioned as:

• Lack of specific implementation of action plans which fit into a national programme approach. This results from:
  • Lack of a national programme approach,
  • Lack of specific action plans on local level,
  • Both above link closely to a limited capacity of local planners and decision-makers.
• Given the pressure created by the MDGs, there is some danger by programmes (supported by donors) of trying to move too fast without taking into account the local planning and strategic programme framework.

 

Outlook for overcoming the barriers was identified as:

• Fostering and further developing efforts by donors to agree on a methodology and approach for supporting government as only coordinated efforts and support to government structures and help going to scale.
• Developing clear accountability and a clear idea how to reach out to all in the country. Furthermore it needs a clear idea how such an outreach shall be financed.
• Developing a clear strategy to build capacity and improve the planning process which builds on the principle of participatory planning and decision making as well as the 3 pillars of sustainability: 1) environmental; 2) economic; 3) social.

 

First Presentation:

Adaptation of existing participatory planning tools for the peri-urban and rural context in Africa by S. Jung, M. Wafler, E. Kvarnström, J. McConville

 

The contribution presented the major objectives of work package 4 (WP4) within the NETSSAF which were the development of a conceptual planning approach for supporting decisions in the field of sanitation on a large scale and the identification technical and non-technical requirements for the large-scale implementation of sustainable sanitation systems in West Africa. The outcomes of this WP are still theoretical and require refinement and validation through field testing the process in the planning of a large-scale sanitation project.

 

Second Presentation:

Investment on human resources: A key for sustainable development by Dr. Klutsé Kwassi, Former Prime Minister of Togo

 

The contribution presented the major challenges on human resources development and showed an approach used by Dr. Kwassi on development and enhancement of environmental awareness of staff and local authorities.

 

Panel group discussion 2:

Investment on man power (Capacity building of human resource to fulfil the MDGs in sustainable sanitation in Africa: core actions - targets - approaches)

 

Crucial for enhancing political and public priority on the issue of knowledge and capacity development in sanitation is realizing the "economics of knowledge". The cost of projects failing is by far higher than the costs of ensuring good know-how and capacity to take the right decisions.

 

It is important to understand the wide range of target "students" which need to be trained.

• Trainers (school teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions.
• Technical and vocational training for artisans.

All these target students need specific training materials and outreach facilities.

 

Finally the panel also agreed that hands-on experience is crucial for good education in sanitation.

Investment on human resources: a key for sustainable development

Dr. Kwasi Klutsé

Former Prime Minister of Togo

Adaptation of existing participatory planning tools for the peri-urban and rural context in Africa

Mr. Martin Wafler

International Ecological Engineering Society (IEES), Switzerland

Mr. Stefan Jung

EcoSan Club, Austria

Achieving the MDGs in sanitation in Africa: force and weak points-contraints and opportunities

Facilitator: Prof. Guéladio Cissé

Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS), Cote d'Ivore

Participants:

Mr. Abdoulaye Drame. MATAM, Senegal

Dr. Abdoulaye Fall. GTZ, Germany

Mr. Andreas Knapp. WSP-AF, the World Bank. Ethiopia

Mr. André Meyer. KfW, Burkina Faso

Mr. Cheick Tidiane Tandia. CREPA, Burkina Faso 

 

Investment on man power (Capacity building of human resource to fulfil the MDGs in sustainable sanitation in Africa: core actions-targets-approaches)

Facilitators: Ms. Waltraud Keipp and Mr. Moussa Drabo

Bureau Ouest Africain d'Appui Organisationnel et de Technologies Appropriees (BOATA), Mali

Participants:

Dr. Peter Morgan. Aquamor, Zimbabwe

Dr. Cecilia Sundberg. SLU, Sweden

Dr. Gustave Aboua. UAA, Cote d'Ivore

Dr. Elizabeth Tilley. EAWAG, Switzerland

Prof. Amadou H. Maiga. International School of Water and Environmental Engineering, Burkina Faso

Dr. Amah Klutsé. CREPA, Burkina Faso