From Aidan Cronin, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New Delhi
Posted 15 April 2011
UNICEF supports several initiatives on knowledge sharing in the water and sanitation sector. There are several other large networks in the sector, including the India Water Portal, the India Sanitation Portal, Hindi Water Portal, the Fresh Water Action Network – South Asia, the India Water Partnership and SACIWaters/CAP-NET. There are many more besides these that operate, or have operated, at the state or regional level, or have come into existence in response to a particular issue. Each occupies a certain space and has its own strengths.
There are possibly also overlaps in the work that each network does. In our support to The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Rural Development, we are trying to map out better how the various networks function, their strengths and weaknesses, their mission and way of operation. A common understanding will help us and the DDWS see areas for synergy. It will also help to pull together the core strengths of these alliances and mission in one place for ready reference. This query is directed at seeking an understanding from the Community members about how they function.
We would like you to comment on
- What are the past and current networks working on water, sanitation, water governance, corruption, conflicts and other water-related issues in India? Please list the name and key contact point(s).
- What is or was their (a) core strength, areas of operation, (b) vision, mission, goals and (c) membership and structure?
- What are the areas of current cooperation between networks? Are any duplications evident?
We will prepare a map of the networks based on your responses and share it back with the Community.
See the below attachment for response