Another Network? Yes -Its INPIM

In this era of networks, does the world really need another one? We certainly think so! INPIM (International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management) has the aim of facilitating mutual support among the growing number of countries implementing PIM programs. In contrast to most networks, INPIM has been established as an autonomous not-for-profit organization controlled by its membership. The Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank has agreed to serve as the initial secretariat for INPIM, a function which could later be rotated among member countries.

The establishment of INPIM was unanimously endorsed by participants at the International Seminar on PIM held in Mexico in February 1995. The group gave specific recommendations that INPIM should be more than a Newsletter, and more than an activity directed by the World Bank. It should become an autonomous organization controlled by its membership, and should serve as a vehicle for countries to help each other through exchange of ideas and experts.

The activities of INPIM will include producing and circulating this Newsletter, organizing seminars, workshops, and conferences to exchange experience, arranging the exchange of professional experts and training materials, and other activities as may be decided later.

An ad hoc Advisory Council has been established consisting initially of one member and one alternate member from each country and from the EDI of the World Bank. Additional countries will be added as the membership grows. The ad hoc Advisory Council will function as the decision-making body of INPIM until the formal Council is constituted through an election by members.

Egypt
* H.S. Elwan, Under Secretary, Public Works
A.F. Ahmad, Technical Director, EPADP 

India
* L.K. Joshi, Jt. Secretary, MOWR
S.Y. Kulkarni, Director, WALMI-Aurangabad 

Indonesia
* A. Hafied A. Gany, Ministry of Public WorksMohamad Hasan, DGWRD 

Mexico
* Jose Trava, CNAEnrique Espinosa, CNA 

Morocco
* Ali Moulid, Ministry of AgricultureAbderrazzak Ikama, Director, Project Moyen Sebou 

Pakistan
* Ghulam Mustafa Abro, P&D, Sindh
Mushtaq Ahmad Gill, OFWM, Punjab 

World Bank
* Peter Sun, EDI
David Groenfeldt, EDI 

* Indicates members; others are alternates

INPIM provides services to individuals and institutions that are involved in research, training, and implementation of PIM activities. In keeping with the principle that "users should pay", INPIM's services are not free, although they are currently subsidized by the EDI Secretariat.

Membership in INPIM is offered in two categories: one for individuals and another for institutions. A membership application form should be included as an insert to this Newsletter. If your copy no longer includes the insert, and you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us directly. Membership fees are US$ 10 (annual) or US$100 (lifetime) for individuals. Institutional membership is available on an annual basis only, at US$ 200. The membership year runs from July 1 to June 30, so we are now accepting membership applications for the 1995/96 year. As a non-profit organization, INPIM accepts donations from individuals or institutions that share and support the goals of INPIM.

Why should you join?

This Newsletter is one reason to join INPIM. The intent of the Newsletter is to keep you up to date on opportunities for further information or action. The information in the Newsletter will be provided by the membership -- all of us. The logic of a membership network is that the entire membership can access information from all its members. Rather than contact fellow members individually, you can accomplish the same effect (in theory) by contacting a single node in the center which is linked to all members.

Access to articles, reports, and training material is another reason to join INPIM. Each issue will contain a list of documents which members can obtain free of cost simply by contacting the INPIM coordinator. Members are encouraged to send materials for distribution. We will include any reasonable materials in each issue's list of documents available to members.

The exchange of experts is a third reason to join INPIM. While INPIM itself has very limited finances, the organization will serve as an agent to seek financing for particular exchanges of experts. For example, as noted elsewhere in this Newsletter, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture has requested INPIM to arrange for several experts from Mexico and Turkey to visit Morocco and advise on the PIM program being developed there. With the help of its Advisory Council, INPIM will identify suitable experts who would be willing to donate their time to go to Morocco. INPIM will then work with the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture to arrange financing for travel and subsistence costs through (in this case) World Bank loan funds.

Participation in annual meetings would be a fourth reason to join INPIM. Annual meetings will be held in conjunction with EDI international seminars on PIM to minimize additional travel costs. It is anticipated that at least one and preferably two delegates from each member country would be able to attend. An announcement of the first official annual meeting of INPIM will be made in the next issue of this Newsletter.