The IRC is the organizations dedicated to improve the condition of water and sanitation services across the world. Over the past few decades, the IRC has worked for promotion and use of knowledge to enable governments and organizations help poor communities in developing world in getting better water and sanitation services.
IRC, together with UCLGA, WIN-SA and AusAid, will host a Learning and Sharing Workshop on the topic ‘Sanitation in Rapidly-Growing Towns’ in November 2011. The 2-day session, to be held near Johannesburg will explore proactive, tangible ways to deal with pressing sanitation issues in towns experiencing rapid growth in Southern Africa.
IRC has issued a call for participants and contributors to an in-depth learning and sharing session on sanitation in rapidly-growing towns. SADC participants are hereby invited to apply to participate or contribute to the workshop – which discusses practical and pragmatic ways to seize the current ‘window of opportunity’ that exists in rapidly growing towns.
Context
Africa is the most rapidly urbanising continent. By 2010, four in ten of Africa’s one billion people lived in urban areas. Six in ten of those live in slums, where water supply and sanitation are severely inadequate.
However, the majority of future growth is not forecast to be in the mega-cities – it is expected to take place in the small and medium-sized towns of today. This is both a problem and an opportunity. While smaller towns have less capacity to deliver services and often little sanitation infrastructure, their small size and lower density provides significant opportunity for action.
“Winning the race” will require local governments and their allies to be proactive in preparing for this urban growth. This interactive session will discuss how the challenges ahead and practical and pragmatic ways can be understood to seize the window of opportunity in rapidly growing towns.
Objectives
- Discussion of how SADC local governments and their allies can be proactive in preparing for rapid urban growth and the associated sanitation challenges.
- Sharing of existing knowledge on this topic and tools that are available.
- The identification of practical and pragmatic ways to seize existing windows of opportunity.
Expected Results
- A group of committed local governments and individuals who are keen to continue the work and learning together on this topic.
- Better cross-fertilisation within SADC on an important issue.
- Proactive measures taken to underpin sanitation delivery in rapidly growing towns and cities across Africa.
You are expected to apply early as the session will only be open to a maximum of 25 participants. If you are successful in your application, you will be notified by 15th Oct 2011 at the latest, in order for you to make flight reservations etc.
Travel bursaries exist, but are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Last date for submitting the applications is October 10, 2011. For more information and details, you can visit this link.
