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WATER EDUCATION AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTRCTWS-EgyptThe main objectives of RCTWS-Egypt are:• generating and providing scientific and technical information onarid and semi-arid issues in the region to enable the formulationof sound policies leading to sustainable integrated water resourcesmanagement (IWRM) at the local, national and regional levels• undertaking effective training and capacity building activitiesat institutional and professional levels in the region, as well asawareness-raising activities targeting audiences including thegeneral public• promoting applied skills on water studies, water management,socioeconomic and environmental issues through regionalcooperative arrangements to strengthen local capabilities and involveregional and international institutions in one integrated network• integrating learning and quality network experiences to trainengineers and professional staff on current responsibilities andfuture targets• providing management and training resources for the selfeducationof engineers and graduate staff• upgrading the practical and operational skills and attitudesof individuals and groups of technicians by developingimplemented and technical field training programmes• increasing cooperation among the region and other countries, aswell as capacity building at institutional and professional levels• raising environmental awareness through activities amongvarious audiences including the general public, in order toenhance the sustainable management of water resources.The centre’s main functions are aimed at enabling coordination,cooperation, collaboration and communication among water studiesstakeholders in the region. These include organizing and supportinga regional water studies network for the exchange of scientificand technical capabilities through interactive and creative learningmethods. The centre seeks to develop a strong programme of advisoryservices and information transfer activities, using applied researchfindings for the region’s countries in the field of water managementRaising environmental awareness among beneficiaries: targeting various audiencesis key to the sustainable management of water resourcesImage: MWRIissues. A regional library and media unit for water studiesprovide training programmes and professional and technicalpublications. Updated technical and computerlaboratories equipped with high-quality devices enablethe practical application of learning and promote participants’understanding and capabilities.Annual scientific, technical and practical trainingprogrammes are provided to increase the knowledgeand capabilities of manpower in all targeted countries.The centre promotes the scientific study of issues relatingto water management in the region’s arid and semi-aridzones. It aims to develop and coordinate cooperativeresearch and study activities on these issues, takingadvantage of the region’s installed scientific and professionalcapacity and the relevant IHP networks and NGOs.Knowledge and information transfer events are organized,including international training courses, symposiaand workshops, to engage in awareness-raising activities.TargetsRCTWS-Egypt aims to realize interaction among thepeoples of the Nile Basin countries to provide a mechanismfor fostering peaceful coexistence and avoidingconflicts. It recognizes the importance of finding widerframeworks for dialogue and societal interaction thatextend these beyond official dialogue to reach the elite,the young, societal leaders and the heads of tribes.Various institutions and ministries have contributedto training programmes to ensure the role of civil societyin fostering cooperation and communication. The centrealso aims to contribute to training and awareness-raisingamong clerics and experts who travel to African countriesso that their role can extend to social and culturalresponsibilities beyond their actual jobs.Countries such as Egypt should not only rely on thecivil society institutions of the Nile Basin countries, butshould also interact with the existing African-Egyptianforums and councils and with the Egyptian civil societiesinterested in African affairs. That said, civil society institutionsamong the Nile Basin countries have taken someimportant actions. These include establishing a regionalunion (the Nile Basin Trade Union) that aims to protectand improve the conditions of workers, preserving watersecurity and benefiting from the humanitarian andnational resources in development projects. An internationalforum has also been established for the Nile Basincountries. This is considered a strong network of civilsociety organizations representing the 10 African countriesof the Nile Basin. It seeks to effect a positive changethrough implementing various projects and programmes.RCTWS-Egypt also focuses on following up the NileBasin Initiative (NBI). Among the objectives adoptedin this context is the realization of real and sustainabledevelopment for the NBI. The mechanisms of mutualcooperation among the Nile Basin countries will befostered while paying due attention to the issues of eradicatingpoverty and fostering economic developmentamong those countries. The centre will contribute toNBI-related activities and study the negative and positive[ 108 ]