NAWISA – The Network for Advocacy of Water Issues
in Southern Africa was launched at the Southern African Water Network
Strategic Planning Workshop, Johannesburg, South Africa, from February
7th – 9th 2001. EMG was elected to serve as the first " host
organization" for the Secretariat, and employed Sindisiwa Ncgobo
as co-ordinator, with Programme Manager Liane Greeff acting as Chair
of the Nawisa Steering Committee.
As of April 2003 the "hosting" function moved to Botswana
Mission statement
The Mission Statement of NAWISA is "...to work together to
advocate for the sustainable and equitable management of Southern African
water resources through effective participation of Civil Society".
In order to achieve this, the following activities were identified as
key priorities:
- Information sharing
- Capacity building
- Funding
- Advocacy
Because the World Commission on Dams (WCD) process was the catalyst
for the formation of NAWISA, the bulk of the network’s energy
to date has been devoted to dam-related issues. In addition most of
the “networking” was done by the secretariat. These were
two of the weaknesses recognized at the Meeting, and it was resolved
to reshaped NAWISA somewhat. Three “task-teams” have been
established, namely:
- River basin management
- Access to water and sanitation
- Dams.
It was agreed that each country should have a focal point and these
focal points will serve as the co-ordinating committee.
Activities of the network have been funded by the Heinrich Böll
Foundation (HBS), the UK Department for International Development (DFID)
and the Siemenpuu Foundation.
|
