Second Capacity Building Program on PIM (June 2006)

The International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM) and the State Hydraulic Works, Turkey (DSI) are pleased to announce a 12-day International Capacity Building on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM). The course will be held at the International Agro Hydrology Institute Menemen, near the picturesque city of Izmir, Turkey from June 18-29, 2006.  

The course is aimed at faculty of training institutes or consultants who are involved in WUA capacity-building, WUA managers, policy makers, and NGOs or Government/Irrigation Agency staff who work with WUAs. The language of the course will be English. The purpose of the course is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of WUAs, and at the policy level to support and strengthen the implementation of national PIM programs.  

General information about the Capacity Building Program is provided below. More specific information including a schedule and registration form are found at http://www.inpim.org/leftlinks/CBP (if you see a popup that asks for a user id and password, please press cancel).  

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is limited to 45 on a first come basis. Therefore, registrations must be made as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  

DESCRIPTION The International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM) and the State Hydraulic Works, Turkey is pleased to announce a 12-day training course on Capacity Building for Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), to be held at the Agro-Hydrology Institute, Meneman located 15 km away from the picturesque city of Izmir, Turkey from June 18-29, 2006. The course is aimed at senior faculty of training institutes, WUA Managers Policy makers, system managers, and NGO leaders who are actively engaged in implementing PIM programs in their countries. The purpose of the course is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of WUAs, and at the policy level, supporting and strengthening the implementation of national PIM programs  

Background: Dramatic changes have taken place in the irrigation sector during the past two decades. Farmers organized into Water User Organizations have replaced government agencies in managing the lower sections of large irrigation networks and in many cases managing entire systems. This transformation of management from government to users has brought many benefits including improved management, lower overall management costs, and the empowerment of local people that has multiplier effects in community-building and quality of life. Yet these new potentials and responsibilities also need to be supported through training and capacity-building not only at the level of Policy Makers and irrigation staff, but also at the level of WUO Managers. The present course attempts to address the issue of capacity building at these two levels through providing inputs in key areas, exchange of experiences among participants to widen the scope and vision of the different actors in reform.  

Goal: The Capacity Building Program in Participatory Irrigation Management and Irrigation Reform (CBP) seeks to improve the capacity of those working in the field of irrigation management to use participatory management methods as a part of irrigation reform.  

The program aims to train up to 45 participants from among irrigation managers, practitioners, policy makers and trainers involved in national programs, through a 12-day intensive course which will include lectures, group exercises, discussions and field visits.  

Course Venue The course will be held at the Agrohydrology Research and Training Centre in Menemen, 18 km from the port city of Izmir. Izmir is well connected by air to Frankfurt and Istanbul. The Centre's facilities are built to international standards providing a very comfortable learning environment with the following amenities - 232 seated conference hall with three language simultaneous interpreting, - audio-visual systems for presentation, - library, information system for on-line bibliographic research, - two lecture rooms, - three seminar rooms, - hotel accommodation with 94 air-conditioned bedrooms, - 200 seated restaurant, health care centre and mosque, - swimming pool, tennis court, games room, billiards, table-tennis, bar, TV room.  

Language: The course materials will be in English, and most of the formal presentations will also be in English. Simultaneous translation will be provided in Turkish and English where required.  

Admission Requirements: The course will be limited to 45 participants who would fall under three main categories: (1) managers of water user organizations, (2) senior government agency staff responsible for implementing PIM, and (2) faculty and staff of irrigation management training institutes or NGOs who would develop their own PIM training programs in their countries. Preference will be given to country teams of 3 persons representing a mix of both categories, and who have strong practical and professional experience.  

Registration Fee, Payment, and Travel: INPIM offers a pre-arranged package including all course registration, meals, lodging, local transportation, and field visits at US $2,400 payable to INPIM by wire transfer only. Participants shall be responsible for their travel to Izmir and back to their countries. Participants will be issued a letter of invitation addressed to the Embassy of Turkey in their respective countries. As issuance visa usually takes time, you are requested to ensure that you process for your visa well in advance to avoid last minute disappointments.  

Clothing: It is expected that it will be warm during the day with temperatures around 31 degrees Celsius (17 at night). Participants are requested to bring along light warm clothing, a wind cheater.  

About INPIM INPIM, the International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management is a global network promoting participatory irrigation management in irrigation and water resource management through the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, training materials and networking among professionals, researchers, policy makers and farmers. INPIM enables exchange of information through its newsletters, website, international seminars and training programs.  

Contact Information For Registration and Course Information: International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management 333½. Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington DC 20003 USA info@inpim.org http://www.inpim.org Phone: +1 202-546-7005 Fax: +1 202-318-0215  

For Arrival /Departure and accommodation: Agrohydrology Research and Training Centre PO Box 20 35660 Menemen, Izmir Turkey Tel: +90 232 831 1054 (x 104) Fax: #90 232 831 1051 thm_ae@khgm.gov.tr

Objectives

1. To learn from international experience where PIM is being promoted.
2. Focus substantively on the different dimensions of water user associations
3. Learn from the experience of Turkey
4. Capacity builidng for the sustainability of water user associations.
5. Networking among participants and learn from each other through country experiences.