106th Aguasan Meeting – MINUTES - SDC Water Network

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tas_Publication_AECM_Bogande_Fr_comp_final.pdf) and Tanja will provide more reports for review, later on. It was also noted that new HCES guidelines will be produced by Eawag-Sandec in the coming year and they should provide more concrete tools and help to simplify the process. Framework for an impact assessment of 3 different intervention strategies used for scaling up HWTS, Hygiene and CLTS in Cholera prone areas in Kenya The presentation is attached (see file HCES-Bogande.pdf) Two projects were presented: 1. Impact assessment of large-scale WASH promotion in choleraprone areas in Kenya. A 1.5 year evaluation of the impact of WASH programs will be started. The project will not only address SODIS but will include different technologies, e.g. membrane systems. The challenge faced now is working in cholera-prone districts where products were distributed for free, and where there will now be resistance to paying. Unicef will be doing the implementation and 3ie (international initiative for impact evaluation). Regula Meierhofer (Eawag/ Sandec) Globally scaling up WASH through a household centred approach Recent developments regarding the human right to water 2. Project proposal: Scaling up WASH improvements through a household-centered approach based on demand and behaviour change The proposal addresses the integration of experiences from previous approaches for promoting WASH, to address the current shortcomings in meeting the MDGs. Ideally, the project would last for 2 years and would be carried out in 4 countries (2 African, 1 Asian, 1 Latin American). The goal of the project would be to improve WASH conditions of one million underserved people in the rural areas of lowincome countries with a proven framework, approach and methodologies for implementation “at scale”. Specifically, the project would result in improved strategies, documentation and capacities and would result in improved WASH conditions for 1 million people with proven methodologies for scaling up and a strengthened, more empowered political sector. The two presentations Scaling up WASH_RM.pdf and Impact Assessment_RM.pdf are attached. The question of whether or not water is a “human right” has been discussed at the General Assembly of the United Nations and a resolution has been adopted, but what it means is not clear, i.e. the scope, the technical details etc. Does the “right to water” necessarily mean “free water”? this is the question. Usually, a resolution must be passed by consensus, but in this case, the US asked for a vote: 122 countries in Favour. No countries voted against and 41 countries abstained (including the US, UK, Australia, Netherlands and Canada :-( Switzerland and Liechtenstein voted in Favour :-) There will now be rigorous discussion and negotiation about the definitions, the inclusion of the informal sector, etc. It was noted that SDC uses the WHO definition of 20L/person/day, though every country defines its own quality, quantity, accessibility, affordability, and cultural measures of water provision. The resolution is non-binding but it is a strong incentive and instrument. There is a report Report of the independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque (see attached Human Right to Water_ENG.pdf) It was noted that this is 60 years after the Human Rights declaration François Münger (SDC)/ Nathalie… 106 th Aguasan Meeting – MINUTES _____________________________________________________________________________________2
Swiss Water Partnerships – update and next steps Update on Solidarit’eau (which included water but not sanitation!) The goal of the SWP is to create a large partnership to be present at large events and to speak with one voice. In France, Holland and Germany there are partnerships, but they are more businessfocused. There have been discussions with Nestlé, Helvetas and various governmental agencies about the partnership, which will include a small secretariat, though it will not be hosted by SDC. There are now 60 municipalities funding water and sanitation projects in Developing countries and 40 which have the official “Solidarit’eau” label. They are the ones that give 1 cent/rappen/ cubic metre of water sold. So far Lausanne has given 130,000CHF to a project in Mauritania. François Münger (SDC) Julie Bérgamin / Thomas Zeller At the Water event on 15 September, there will be a Solidarit’eau stand which will be used to help push other municipalities to be included. On 24th November (mark your calendars!) there will be a presentation at SDC about the Lausanne project. A representative from Mauritania will be there and he is looking to learn more about low-cost sanitation. There was a small conflict between the Solidarit’eau and the Federation of Cantons in the French speaking part of CH, because the members are tiny NGOs and therefore do not qualify for the Solidarit’eau process. After negotations, there has been an agreement on how to proceed: basically, experts are first certified (if they are known, they are exempt) and then they can pass on projects from the Federation to Solidarit’eau. The complete system is explained in the diagram attached (Relations Solidariteau.pdf) The Aguasan members decided to make a review committee. it will consist of members from Research (Sandec, Liz Tilley or Linda Gaulke), practice ( Felix Gnehm) and policy (Thomas Zeller and/or Roger and/or Francois). SDC Water Initiatives Major Events 2010: feedback from “Ambassadors Conference 2010” and Outlook on “Water Event – 15.09.10” / “Sommet de la Francophonie” It was noted that irrigation projects are not being accepted. The Ambassadors event was attended by 200 people, with many high level people and ambassadors. The speeches and materials, etc. are available on the SDC Réseau. The conclusion of Mrs Calmy- Rey was that water IS a global issue. She has asked SDC to crate a platform with a special focus on Central Asia, because she sees that as a strategic area. There was very good feedback from the Ambassadors, mostly they said that they were not aware of how important water was, but it was sometimes too technical, but they enjoyed the discussions and the nice atmosphere. François Münger/ Anne Sophie Aublet (Skat) The Water Event will (did) happen on 15 September. All of the parliamentarians were invited along with the public and the media. Several high level speakers were invited along with various NGOs and organizations that will have stands and present their work. Essentially, the idea is to show how efficient the water sector is and to apply pressure to parliamentarians to increase the development spending from 0.45 to 0.5 % 106 th Aguasan Meeting – MINUTES _____________________________________________________________________________________3
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106th Aguasan Meeting – MINUTES - SDC Water Network

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