Networks - NAWISA

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.