As an AusAID ALAF (Australian Leadership Award – Fellowships) -funded programme, 17 participants from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam together with 4 Chinese participants funded under ACEDP from the Ministry of Water Resources and Yunnan Environmental Protection Department attended the capacity building programme, managed by the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management (ICE WaRM), from 19 July to 29 August 2009 in Australia.
Overall the programme will help develop the necessary critical mass of human resources in the Mekong Subregion, in line with the shared concept of Integrated Water Resources Management. China’s participation will strengthen her important status as Dialogue Partner to Mekong River Commission and promote practical collaboration with MRC member countries on data sharing, navigational aids and other aspects of river management.
The first week of the programme started in Adelaide where participants were involved in facilitated Initial workshops and short courses, and were also welcomed at Government House by the South Australian Governor, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR before continuing their visits and studies in Darwin and Gold Coast and spending more time studying groundwater management.
Through participatory workshops and site visits which engaged a wide range of Australian water authorities, industry partners, teaching and research institutions, participants were provided with an introductory overview of water resources issues and management in Australia. Exposure to examples of new models and concepts in water management would help increase their capacity to lead contemporary, sustainable water resource management in their home country.
The wide institutional mix and background of participants would potentially promote collaboration within the Mekong Subregion, while all visits and meetings would help build opportunities for enduring links between participants home organizations and with Australian institutions beyond life of the programme.