FOZ DO IGUACU, BRASIL
6 IX 2001
CHAIRMAN: Pablo Suarez
RAPPORTEUR: Jeffrey A. Thornton
PANELISTS: Pablo Gonzalez, Javier Lopez Medina, Dann Sklarew, Isabelle van der Beck
BACKGROUND
Thirty projects managers from nine International Waters Projects being conducted with incremental funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF-IW) in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region exchanged information, experiences, and lessons learned prior to and during the Fourth Inter-American Water Resources Dialogue. This process was designed to construct relationships, exchange information, identify appropriate mechanisms to manage and share this information, and determine a means of continuing this process of information sharing and dissemination.
STATEMENT OF ISSUES
Participants reported the success of the GEF-IW in developing and disseminating the information resources and lessons learned for the sustainable development of the water resources of the LAC region, using a variety of forms and formats. Despite a number of shared concerns, participants indicated an high level of satisfaction and technical success within the projects currently being executed. Five issues of common concern were identified:
the need to exchange knowledge and experiences with respect to GEF-IW projects in an environment of trust and security of information;
the recognition of the importance of continuity in staffing, funding, and project development throughout the project cycle, with appropriate recognition of individual abilities and skills—including those of individuals currently employed in the public service—and adequate remuneration—primarily to foster community “ownership” of the projects;
the shared concern that the lack of continuity between project phases that results in the disruption of project management and execution between phases, and a loss of credibility of the project outcomes;
the need for ensuring the availability of complementary financing, as well as legal and institutional frameworks, during the project period in order to secure such financing necessary for the implementation of the project outcomes—especially those identified within the Strategic Action Program; and,
the primacy of developing projects as part of an holistic “process”, which includes the inclusion of project outcomes in local, national ands regional development policies and programs.
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED