GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN IWRM FRAMEWORK
 - Course First Announcement

A short course in Lome, Togo from 12-16 April 2010,
Hosted by Partenariat National de l’Eau –Togo (PNE-Togo)
Venue: Acropolis Hotel, +228 251 98 33/34/935 96 88. Email: hotelacropolis@yahoo.fr

Background:
Groundwater is the largest fresh water resource available on the planet, yet it is largely unmanaged and exploitation and contamination of the resource continues without restriction in many parts of the world.  
Groundwater is considered to be a vital resource to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and for mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as severe and extended drought. Groundwater management requires specific knowledge and has been described as one of the greatest natural resources challenges facing humanity. 

The Course: This Groundwater Management course has been created by the Africa Groundwater Network in collaboration with the Groundwater Management Advisory Team from the World Bank (GWMate). The course will be delivered in French / English with simultaneous translation facilities. Partners include Cap-Net, BGR, SPLASH.

The course includes the following subjects: Why Groundwater Management?; Groundwater in Integrated Water Resources Management; Characterization of Aquifer Systems; Information Management and Communication; Legislation and Regulation; Allocation and Licensing; Economic and Financial Instruments; Stakeholder Participation; Groundwater Quality and Protection; Groundwater Monitoring; Groundwater and Climate Change; Groundwater – Surface Water Interactions. In addition the course includes a very significant portion of time devoted to discussion, exercises and participant presentations. There is also one day allocated to a field excursion.

The Facilitators: The course has been able to attract a number of senior groundwater professionals as facilitators from both Africa and Europe, ensuring a high degree of professionalism and up to date discussion of the topics and issues.

Participants: Participants are sought from all sectors of society that are involved with groundwater / water resources including: Groundwater professionals, Water managers including from River Basin Organizations and Catchment Authorities, Stakeholder organizations, Political / Government sector, NGOs, Capacity Building / Academic sector, Researchers, Consultants etc..
Course Fees and Sponsorship: The fees for the course are US$500. Participants must pay for their own transport and accommodation. However full / partial sponsorship is available to participants working in the public and community sectors; female applicants from these sectors will receive preference.

Application. Prospective participants should apply before 15th March 20101 to, at: Partenariat National de l’Eau -Togo pnetogo@yahoo.fr  with cc to Dr David Kossi Lebene Agbemedi davidkossi@yahoo.fr , the course organizer.