WIN at the 25th AGUASAN workshop - June 2010

WIN Director Teun Bastemeijer attended the 25th AGUASAN workshop in Switzerland on 24 and 25 June 2010. Though WIN was unable to attend the full workshop, the general impression of the event was positive. During the workshop, factors affecting the success of scaling up sustainable water supply and sanitation (WASH) solutions were identified and possible strategies to overcome barriers were discussed. For many of the participants the event was also an excellent learning experience, and planned follow-up included the organisation of similar sessions in countries where Swiss Development Cooperation is active.

Good governance in the water and sanitation sector was identified as a key condition for success. However, this recognition did not automatically lead to a discussion about poor governance which has corruption at its core and which makes water as well as investments more expensive and therefore less sustainable and affordable.

That said, the group included several active members of the Water Integrity Network as well as some other participants who expressed their concerns about levels of corruption. It is therefore clear that the issue needed to be addressed when working on strategies for scaling up, and therefore included in dialogue with government including the political decision makers.