The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) aims to strengthen transboundary waters management by facilitating learning and information sharing among stakeholders. It brings isolated GEF international waters projects and partners together through an online "learning portfolio". IW:LEARN provides services like promoting access to information through its website, fostering structured learning among projects, and transferring innovations between projects. It also offers technical assistance and outreach to promote integrated water resources management.

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IW:LEARNIW:LEARN
The GEF International WatersThe GEF International Waters
Learning Exchange and ResourceLearning Exchange and Resource
NetworkNetwork
Dann Sklarew, Ph.D.Dann Sklarew, Ph.D.
Chief Technical AdvisorChief Technical Advisor
February 28, 2006

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GEF IW:LEARN ObjectiveGEF IW:LEARN Objective
To strengthen TransboundaryTo strengthen Transboundary
Waters Management (TWM) byWaters Management (TWM) by
facilitating learning andfacilitating learning and
information sharing amonginformation sharing among
stakeholders.stakeholders.

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How?How?
Bring isolated GEF IW projectsBring isolated GEF IW projects
& partners together through a& partners together through a
“LEARNING PORTFOLIO”“LEARNING PORTFOLIO”

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Project Support ServicesProject Support Services
1.1. PromotePromote Access to IW InformationAccess to IW Information
2.2. Foster LearningFoster Learning among IW Projectsamong IW Projects
3.3. Transfer InnovationsTransfer Innovations & Practical Experience& Practical Experience
4.4. Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance (PM, KM, IWM)(PM, KM, IWM)
5.5. OutreachOutreach to greater IW communityto greater IW community

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1. Access to Information1. Access to Information
• International Waters Resource CenterInternational Waters Resource Center
www.iwlearn.netwww.iwlearn.net
– IW Project Profiles, Contacts, News & EventsIW Project Profiles, Contacts, News & Events
– Project-related documents, models & templates (TDA,Project-related documents, models & templates (TDA,
SAP, TORs, SIPs, M&E docs)SAP, TORs, SIPs, M&E docs)
– Distance learning materials (TDA/SAP course)Distance learning materials (TDA/SAP course)
• Sub-Regional IW Web sitesSub-Regional IW Web sites
– Southeast Asia and Southeastern EuropeSoutheast Asia and Southeastern Europe

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IW:LEARN Resource CenterIW:LEARN Resource Center

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SEA-RLCSEA-RLC

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2. Structured Learning2. Structured Learning
• Needs-drivenNeeds-driven IW-support workshopsIW-support workshops , e.g.,, e.g.,
– Public Participation, LME Management, IWRMPublic Participation, LME Management, IWRM
– Information Management, Web developmentInformation Management, Web development
– Economic Valuation, Environmental FlowsEconomic Valuation, Environmental Flows
• Ongoing learningOngoing learning among similar projectsamong similar projects
– Aquifers/Groundwater, Rivers, Lakes,Aquifers/Groundwater, Rivers, Lakes,
Large Marine Ecosystems & [soon] Coral ReefsLarge Marine Ecosystems & [soon] Coral Reefs
– Periodic face-to-face facilitated learningPeriodic face-to-face facilitated learning
– Ad hocAd hoc interactions and occasional “thematic sessions”interactions and occasional “thematic sessions”
via IW:LEARN co-sponsored e-forumsvia IW:LEARN co-sponsored e-forums

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Public Participation andPublic Participation and
Info. Sharing WorkshopInfo. Sharing Workshop
June 2005 - St. Petersburg, RFJune 2005 - St. Petersburg, RF

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• Co-delivered w/UNECE, CTC and WBICo-delivered w/UNECE, CTC and WBI
• 60 participants shared experiences among 660 participants shared experiences among 6
projects, governments and NGOs in EECCAprojects, governments and NGOs in EECCA
• 28 case studies and presentations28 case studies and presentations
• 5 problem-solving working groups for 3 basins5 problem-solving working groups for 3 basins
• Results: 50 relevant/measurable actions plannedResults: 50 relevant/measurable actions planned
Public Participation andPublic Participation and
Info. Sharing WorkshopInfo. Sharing Workshop
June 2005 - St. Petersburg, RFJune 2005 - St. Petersburg, RF

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LME LearningLME Learning
• 33rdrd
GEF IW Conference (June 2005):GEF IW Conference (June 2005):
Face-to-face discourse, needsFace-to-face discourse, needs
assessmentassessment
• Multi-week “Economic Valuation” E-forumMulti-week “Economic Valuation” E-forum
session (4session (4thth
Quarter 2005)Quarter 2005)
• LME Management Workshop (next week!)LME Management Workshop (next week!)
• Future workshops, discussions planned.Future workshops, discussions planned.

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3. Transfer of Innovation3. Transfer of Innovation
• Inter-Project Stakeholder ExchangeInter-Project Stakeholder Exchange
– Project/Country-Driven Missions between or amongProject/Country-Driven Missions between or among
GEF IW partners and beneficiariesGEF IW partners and beneficiaries
– E.g., Benguela to South Pacific for fisheries treaty;E.g., Benguela to South Pacific for fisheries treaty;
Danube-hosted communications workshopDanube-hosted communications workshop
• 33rdrd
& 4& 4thth
Biennial GEF IW ConferencesBiennial GEF IW Conferences
– All GEF IW projects gather to share experiencesAll GEF IW projects gather to share experiences
– Salvador (2005) & Cape Town (2007)Salvador (2005) & Cape Town (2007)
• Publications for Innovation TransferPublications for Innovation Transfer
– IW BridgesIW Bridges newsletternewsletter
– IW Experience Notes seriesIW Experience Notes series

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IWC3IWC3

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Each issue also includes
upcoming IW events and
IW:LEARN activities!

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4. Technical Assistance4. Technical Assistance
Helpdesk roles:Helpdesk roles:
• Nairobi office ~ Developing network of projects’Nairobi office ~ Developing network of projects’
Web sites (updated w/o techies)Web sites (updated w/o techies)
• Washington office ~ On call support for projectWashington office ~ On call support for project
management and IW managementmanagement and IW management
EmailEmail info@iwlearn.orginfo@iwlearn.org or visitor visit www.iwlearn.netwww.iwlearn.net forfor
assistance…assistance…

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5. Outreach5. Outreach
• IWRM RoundtablesIWRM Roundtables
• GEF Sessions at Big IW Events:GEF Sessions at Big IW Events:
– Past: IUCN Congress, Inter-American DialogPast: IUCN Congress, Inter-American Dialog
on Water, Global Oceans Forumon Water, Global Oceans Forum
• Future: World Water Forum, GPA IGR-2Future: World Water Forum, GPA IGR-2
• Gender and Water Traveling ExhibitGender and Water Traveling Exhibit

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Gender & Water ExhibitGender & Water Exhibit

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Some IW:LEARN partners …Some IW:LEARN partners …

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For more informationFor more information
• Please visit…Please visit…
– GEF IW:LEARN Web Site www.iwlearn.netGEF IW:LEARN Web Site www.iwlearn.net
– GEF International Waters Resource CentreGEF International Waters Resource Centre
www.iwlearn.netwww.iwlearn.net
• Or contact IW:LEARNOr contact IW:LEARN
info@iwlearn.orginfo@iwlearn.org
TelTel: +1 (202) 518-2054: +1 (202) 518-2054