In 2007, WIN Secretariat organized the South Asia Regional Workshop on Transparency and Integrity in the Water Sector in Dhaka, Bangladesh supported by Transparency International-Bangladesh (TIB) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy. As an outcome of the workshop, the Bangladesh Water Integrity Network (BAWIN) was launched in 2009 with the involvement of TIB, WIN, and other organizations working in the water sector. WIN is supporting BAWIN for the period 2014-2016 as part of WIN’s country programmes initiative. The strategic focus is on building BAWIN as a strong autonomous initiative and as an independent voice for integrity in the sector that can provide support, advice, and training, as well as offer partnership or membership to other stakeholders not yet involved.
Promoting Investigative Journalism
Together with the Committee of Concerned Citizens – Khulna of Transparency International Bangladesh (CCC), BAWIN organized a daylong workshop for journalists of the southwest region of Bangladesh. Seventeen journalists — covering Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkira — were trained on how to identify and investigate corruption risks in water sector management for inclusion in their reporting. The workshop was facilitated by Robaet Ferdous, associate professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka.
(10 October 2015 in Khulna, Bangladesh. Click here to read more about the role of investigative journalism in the water sector.)
Saving the Mayur
Together with the CCC, BAWIN organized a seminar on approaches to saving the Mayur River that was attended by government, academic, and civil society representatives. A technical report —presented by Mr. Tushar Kanti Roy, assistant professor and head of the URP Department of KUET — was followed by presentations and discussions on how experts, authorities, and stakeholders can act to save the river. Recommendations included:
- Proper landscaping and development planning based on local experience and land survey data
- Coordination between diverse stakeholders, including relevant government agencies
- Exploration of additional civic uses, such as recreational use and drinking water for city dwellers
(11 October 2015 in Khulna, Bangladesh)
Training KWASA
BAWIN, CCC, and  cewas held a Training of Trainers (ToT) for six coaches who would be responsible for implementing the Integrity Management Toolbox for the Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (KWASA). As a result of this effort, and with BAWIN and cewas support, the coaches organized a two-day workshop for eight KWASA participants who are charged with bringing integrity thinking and practice into KWASA’s business model. In the workshop, participants analyzed major integrity risks, examined tools for reducing these risks, and mapped the steps they would undertake to increase integrity standards within the organization. That road map will be complete by the end of November 2015; the trained coaches will monitor and report on progress.
(14-15 October at KWASA in Khulna, Bangladesh. Learn more about tools for water integrity here.)
CC image credit: header image of Bangladesh river via Pixabay; colored map by ased on the regional map of Bangladesh.