Sector Learning
The WASH sector faces immense challenges. We need to learn, and avoid repeating the same mistakes (even though we recognise mistakes have their value). Learning is what allows us to connect knowledge and create action together. Learning starts with committed individuals. But to ensure that learning leads to better sector performance, learning, reflective monitoring and adaptive management must be become regular practice in the WASH sector.
IRC and partners support sector professionals at national and decentralised levels to systematically reflect and learn together for sustainable and equitable WASH service delivery.
Share your ideas about a learning and adaptive sector and join the conversation on the weblog: http://learningforchange.wordpress.com/
Learning for change (blog)
13 Aug 12
This blog is dedicated to learning for change. The blog explores a range of topics and learning-focused initiatives aiming at effecting positive social change. Key issues for exploration on the blog are ' sector learning', multi-stakeholder processes such as learning alliances, WASH resource centre networks and capacity development. Go to http://learningforchange.wordpress.com/
Concept Note National WASH Learning in Uganda
The Concept Note indicates that learning in the WASH sector is a fundamental pre-requisite of performance improvement. In a sector with shrinking investments, cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness are vital strategies. Learning is about the good practices and to avoid making the same mistakes, to benefit from innovations and to make necessary adjustments to practical guidelines and policy to ensure good implementation. Learning needs to take place at all levels and should reflect both successes and failures in practice. National level learning is based on practical lessons from the decentralised levels, on action research and on best practices and also from abroad. Learning on WASH at national level needs to be adequately structured and grounded within good platforms to be effective.
WSSDPG Ug 090318 Concept Note NationalWASHLearning-v2.doc (285.5 kB)
Sector Learning: Anticipating and adapting to change for better WASH service delivery
The water, sanitation and hygiene development sector is complex and in a state of change. Actors from national to community level play significant roles and interact in multiple, often unplanned ways. The need to share experiences and knowledge is underlined by two trends – one towards decentralisation, taking greater responsibility at more local levels; the other for greater integration and coordination in the sector. This brochure gives a short overview of what is happening in the sector and some examples of learning from Resource Centres in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
SectorLearning_e-version_final.pdf (376.7 kB)
National Learning Forum
Uganda's Ministry of Water and Environment, the Sanitation and Water Knowledge Learning Alliance (SAWA, which is a consortium of NGOs involved in the WASH sector) and IRC will organise a number of national events around learning called National Learning Forums. The aim of these events is to provide a national learning platform for WASH stakeholders so that they share and analyse experiences and practices, to stimulate follow-up acitivities and products, to build capacity for scaling-up and to bridge the gap between policy and practice. Presented 'good practices' will be in various areas: e.g. integrated water resources management, water supply, community-based management, rural sanitation, water and sanitation in schools or WASH governance.
Building a learning water services sector in South Africa
Thoko Sigwaza (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry), Ndala Duma (the Water Information Network) and Coucillor Nandi Mayathula-Khoza (South African Local Government Association) presented the South African experience of building a learning water services sector.
Sigwaza_building_a_learning.ppt (547.5 kB)
