Generating knowledge throughout thematic groups
The Honduran resource centre, CHRECIAS, which is part of the RAS-HON, counts with nine thematic groups. The groups are formed of representatives of different organisations in the Honduran water and sanitation sector. The thematic groups carry out joint projects, research and capacity building activities and work towards the generation of new knowledge and information products with the objective
- to use it as advocacy material in national level decision-making processes,
- to document and systematize processes and sussessful and less successful experiences and practices, and
- to create documents for capacity building purposes
Transparency
The thematic group on transparency of the resource centre network RAS-HON in Honduras actively promotes transparency, accountability and access to information for all stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector in Honduras. They do so in order to enable stakeholders to implement anti-corruption measures, allowing greater credibility and good use of public resources and better management to ensure adequate drinking water and sanitation services.
Integrated water resources management
This thematic group promotes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and focuses on related issues like climate change and risk management, in order to come up with prevention measures and risk mitigation systems, so that water supply systems get the adequate quantity and quality of water.
Sustainable sanitation
RAS-HON’s thematic group on sanitation promotes sustainable sanitation, meaning that the sanitation solutions will improve the living conditions of the population without negatively affecting the environment.
Water quality
RAS-HON’s thematic group on water quality promotes drinking water systems that distribute safe water which do not affect public health and that allow appropriate mechanisms for collection, treatment and disposal of waste water so that their discharges do not affect the environment and public health.
Multiple use services
The objective of this thematic group is to evaluate and promote multiple use of water by users in Honduras and to stress the importance of it for the livelihoods of the community, without affecting the functioning of the community water supply system.
Gender
The aim of this group is to promote gender equity in different stages of water and sanitation projects, for which it is necessary to strengthen capacities of different actors in the sector, so that they too can promote, value and permit such equity.
Academic development
The objective of this thematic group is to promote the participation of universities and academic institutions in different knowledge management activities in the water and sanitation sector. In this way, to promote scientific research and to strengthen knowledge, and obtain the interest and participation of students.
Sustainability
This group was set up to evaluate and promote the sustainability of water systems with emphasis on those in rural areas. To get to sustainable water systems and sanitation it is necessary to strengthen local capacity and to influence policies that will allow an appropriate design, implementation, management and operation and maintenance of such systems.
Information systems
The thematic group on sector information systems is currently being coordinated by the national supervisory board for water and sanitation in Honduras (CONASA).
Tools for facilitating learning in thematic groups
How do you facilitate sector learning? Or in the case of Honduras, how do you facilitate the learning in thematic groups, which work on the basis of the so-called 'double loop' learning theory, in which documentation of experiences and the spreading of lessons plays a key role in getting to new insights, technologies or methods of working.
