Since integrity, accountability and anti-corruption are critical determinants of how water resources and services are governed and allocated, these principles need to be included in a systematic way in water policy reform and implementation. Yet, integrity and anti-corruption are some of the least addressed areas in the governance of water resources and services. Water integrity is either neglected or not systematically factored into the formulation and implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
This virtual course offers participants an introduction to the main principles and concepts for a water integrity framework, as an essential condition to improve access to water and sanitation and achieve the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. The objective of the course is to create awareness and strengthen the bases for change in water governance through increased knowledge on how to improve transparency and accountability practices.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course participants will:
- Understand the main concepts and principles behind water integrity, transparency, and accountability; as well as the ways in which corruption may occur in the water sector, its drivers, and impacts;
- Understand the need for effective changes and be familiar with tools that can be applied to achieve water integrity;
- Be familiar with examples of good practices related to promoting integrity, accountability and combating corruption in the water sector.
- Have access to useful up-to-date materials in support of specific subject areas for water integrity.
Who can participate?
The course is open to a maximum of 40 participants representing various stakeholder groups from the entire water sector worldwide:
- Stakeholders and professionals in water management, civil society, river basin or international organizations; development programmes and members of UN organizations; and representatives of the private sector;
- Decision makers, policy makers, and high-level professionals and managers active in governmental bodies;
- Capacity developers active in the fields of water integrity, sustainable water management, Integrated Water Resources Management, Human Rights Based Approaches, representatives of the WASH Media Network, amongst others.
As this an introductory course, participants are not expected to have previous knowledge on water integrity.
How to register?
The course is free. Participants will be selected by the organizing committee considering gender, professional background, and geographic balance, as well as on their motivation and commitment to participate throughout the entire course.
Interested participants must complete the online registration form and submit the following documentation to virtualcampus@cap-net.org with subject “Water Integrity virtual course registration”, before Friday, August 28, 2015.
- A 1-page profile, describing: educational and professional background; experience in water resources management, water capacity development, or decision making; participation in networks and/or alliances; any other relevant information related to the course subject.
- A 1-page motivation and commitment letter: explaining interest in participating in the course; availability to dedicate at least 4 hours per week during the course duration and participate in the course activities; and expectations in terms of how the acquired contents can be applied and shared with colleagues.
- A 1-page letter of institutional support through which the institution where participants work expresses interest in participation in the course and explains why this will be an important training for the participant and the institution.
Languages
The course language is English.
This course will soon be available in other languages.
Contents and Course Structure
The course is structured in modules. Each module will run over 10 days (1.5 weeks), during which course participants must read basic contents and participate in suggested activities.
Course features
In all 5 modules, participants are expected to:
- Read basic contents
- Participate in online forum discussions
- Prepare an individual or group exercise
- Respond –by the end of the module- to a set of multiple choice questions
- Optional: Participate in a live session
Participants will also have access to other (optional) recommended readings, videos, and web links.
Expected commitment from participants
Participants are expected to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per week to the course. This is estimated on the basis of 1 hour per day (4 days a week), or two connections per week, each one of 2 hours. In total, this should add to 40 hours for the full course, in line with a 5-days face-to-face course.
This time dedication should be enough to review base contents and participate in all activities (forums, exercises, multiple choices). Participants who wish to read other suggested readings and related videos will require a bit more time.