1^st WASH Fair and The 19^th Regional Water and Sanitation Seminar Held

By Misheck Kirimi

The 1 st WASH Fair and the 19 th Regional Water and Sanitation Seminar presented a rare showcase of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) information. The two events took place side-by-side in the costal town of Mombasa, Kenya.

The thrust of these events was to share information and knowledge, including best practices, case studies and technological advances for serving millions of poor people who lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Economists rank information/knowledge as the fourth factor of production, next to labour, capital and management.

The 3-day event attracted about 100 experts from 24 different countries. In addition to stimulating presentations and plenary discussions, there was an exhibit area, where experts exchanged business cards, ideas, brochures, CDs and books over a cup of coffee.

In her opening remarks the SREAMS chairperson, Dr. Rivka Kfir, said, “ Knowledge is a resource (or more than a resource). It is the basis for improved quality of life and economic growth cumulative - each advance leads incrementally to the next development; forming the base for new applications.”

Knowledge shared is knowledge gained

Sharing knowledge creates new knowledge

Knowledge is about sharing know-how

Know-how is about learning by action

Learning results in new knowledge

Learn from experience (not only ours but others)

Relate other knowledge to your own context

Good practice --- improved practice

– presented in the 1^st WASH Fair, Mombasa

Discussions were organized into 7 themes. Each theme was first expounded in terms of its importance in addressing WASH challenges.

• Theme 1: WASH and development
• Theme 2: Pro-poor WASH

• Theme 3: Hygiene, AIDS and gender in WASH
• Theme 4: WASH in schools
• Theme 5: Sustainable sanitation solutions
• Theme 6: Scaling up
• Theme 7: Partnerships for capacity development

WASH – Water Sanitation and Hygiene - as concept demands of us to work together, plan together, and share the success and challenges as a team which brings together various disciplines, line ministries, and agencies.

Kenya ’s Minister for Water and Irrigation stated, “ In Africa, under the auspices of AMCOW, a Status Overview has recently been published, looking at the preparedness of 16 countries on the continent to meet these targets. Though there are significant country exceptions, overall, we lag in water targets and are significantly behind for sanitation targets. We know that progress needs to be radically accelerated.

“It may seem discouraging to read these reports, but the good thing about the call to radically ‘accelerate’ is that it means we are going in the right direction. Some things are working marvelously well. Accelerating progress towards the MDGs requires us to recognize what is working well and urgently scale it up.”

The 2 nd WASH Fare will take place in an Asian country in 2008. Details will be found in the STREAMS website. Meanwhile, NETWAS is organizing the 20 th Regional Water and Sanitation Seminar, which will focus of sanitation for the poor. The Seminar will take place in Mombassa , Kenya , in September 2008. More details will be posted on this website.