International Waters: Learning Exchange and
Resource Network (IW:LEARN)
A cooperative initiative of the Global Environment Facility(GEF), United
Nations Development Programme(UNDP), United Nations Environment
Programme(UNEP), and the World Bank
The GEF's IW:LEARN helps International Waters initiatives transfer best practices and adapt
lessons learned in order to improve management of transboundary water systems.
IW:LEARN Regional Learning Centres
Each Regional Learning Center (RLC) serves as a
· Center of Excellence for transferring International Waters (IW) management
expertise to countries and projects across its region
· Provider of IW:LEARN capacity-building services to regional IW stakeholders
· Contributing partner within the GEF's global network of IW:LEARN RLCs and
related IW capacity-building institutions.
Center of Excellence for International Waters
Each RLC is adapted to address its region's IW needs. The RLC works within its region to
identify and address the needs of GEF IW projects and their partners. Regional expertise is
needed for both Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated Coastal
and Marine Management (ICMM). Needs include scientific, management and technical
issues, as well as areas such as environmental assessment, good governance, resource
mobilization, and economic valuation of ecological resources.
Service Provider to International Waters Partners
The RLC leads and coordinates IW:LEARN services within the region. IW:LEARN promotes
capacity-building1 among GEF IW stakeholders from organizational to global scales. The
RLC provides such services through regional learning exchanges, information dissemination,
and technical assistance with information and communications technology (ICT).
Global Network of RLC Partners
In serving the IW needs within its own region, each IW:LEARN RLC also contributes to and
benefits from information and technical assistance distributed throughout the global network
of RLCs. IW:LEARN promotes jointly developed knowledge products and knowledge
transfer between regions and across the broader IW community. RLCs work with the
IW:LEARN Secretariat to transfer technical assistance between regions and to promote
knowledge-sharing at the global scale.
For more information on IW:LEARN Regional Learning Centers, please contact the
IW:LEARN Secretariat at the address below.
1 See IW:LEARN services brochure at http://www.iwlearn.org/ftp/iwlservices.pdf.
Tel/Fax: +1.703.522.2190/2191 4211 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA 22203 USA info@iwlearn.org
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