By Susan Davis, Improve International. Prepared for the Monitoring sustainable WASH service delivery symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9-11 April 2013.
Presentation Jose Gesti, UNICEF, 15th January UN Water Zaragoza Conference 2015water-decade
1) Implementation of WASH targets is ongoing with varying levels of success across regions and countries. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular faces challenges in increasing access to improved drinking water sources.
2) Existing tools and social instruments that are helping to implement WASH targets include realizing human rights to water and sanitation, increasing sector budget allocations, ensuring service sustainability, and building capacity through approaches like community-led total sanitation.
3) Key stakeholders - governments, businesses, civil society, and academia - all have important roles to play in driving further progress, with governments in the lead role for policy development and regulation.
”Investing in water and sanitation: Investing in water and sanitation: Incre...sanitationandwater4all
”Investing in water and sanitation: Increasing access, reducing inequalities - Findings from the 2014 Global GLAAS and JMP reports” by Mr. Sanjay Wijesekera, Associate Director, UNICEF Programme Division and Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and the Environment Department, WHO
This webinar will introduce draft resolution guidelines and explores next steps for resolution through brief presentations and moderated discussion.
Panelists:
- Raul Gauto, Fundacion Avina
- Ton Schouten, IRC
- Nanette Barkey, Plan USA
- John Sauer, Water For People
Moderator: Elynn Walter, WASH Advocates
Building national water and sanitation monitoring systems that workJohn Feighery
National monitoring systems are difficult to sustain over the long term. Common causes of failure include an overemphasis on technology and a lack of focus on organizational processes and human resources. Successful monitoring systems address the entire data value chain, from data collection to use. They also build a culture of data-driven decision making within organizations. Key steps in designing sustainable monitoring include defining objectives, improving processes, building human capacity, choosing proven technology, and regularly iterating the system based on user feedback.
Building national water and sanitation monitoring capacity in HaitiJohn Feighery
Presentation by mWater to the USAID Haiti Mission office on the experiences and lessons learned during the USAID Haiti Water and Sanitation Project (WATSAN). Includes a discussion of the challenges in improving public services in low-resource countries, the possibilities of using data-driven management, and specific outcomes achieved in Haiti. Closes with lessons learned that can be applied in other contexts.
2015 WASH e-Summit (Part 3): Engaging the community through WASH in SchoolsRotary International
Brought to you by Rotary and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, this final webinar in the series will focus on strategies to engage the community to implement sustainable WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene education) in Schools programs.
Sector experts will provide guidance on engaging the community through WASH in Schools projects to ensure local project ownership and lasting community improvements.
The document discusses challenges in delivering sustainable rural water services. While coverage has increased significantly with tens of billions invested, about 730 million remain unserved and 30-40% of handpumps in Africa are non-functional. Failure rates are unacceptable and investments are largely wasted. The focus needs to shift from initial construction to establishing long-term water services through strengthening sectors, appropriate financing, management models, and support for operations and maintenance. National governments, donors, NGOs and communities must work together to establish permanent water services.
Presentation Jose Gesti, UNICEF, 15th January UN Water Zaragoza Conference 2015water-decade
1) Implementation of WASH targets is ongoing with varying levels of success across regions and countries. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular faces challenges in increasing access to improved drinking water sources.
2) Existing tools and social instruments that are helping to implement WASH targets include realizing human rights to water and sanitation, increasing sector budget allocations, ensuring service sustainability, and building capacity through approaches like community-led total sanitation.
3) Key stakeholders - governments, businesses, civil society, and academia - all have important roles to play in driving further progress, with governments in the lead role for policy development and regulation.
”Investing in water and sanitation: Investing in water and sanitation: Incre...sanitationandwater4all
”Investing in water and sanitation: Increasing access, reducing inequalities - Findings from the 2014 Global GLAAS and JMP reports” by Mr. Sanjay Wijesekera, Associate Director, UNICEF Programme Division and Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and the Environment Department, WHO
This webinar will introduce draft resolution guidelines and explores next steps for resolution through brief presentations and moderated discussion.
Panelists:
- Raul Gauto, Fundacion Avina
- Ton Schouten, IRC
- Nanette Barkey, Plan USA
- John Sauer, Water For People
Moderator: Elynn Walter, WASH Advocates
Building national water and sanitation monitoring systems that workJohn Feighery
National monitoring systems are difficult to sustain over the long term. Common causes of failure include an overemphasis on technology and a lack of focus on organizational processes and human resources. Successful monitoring systems address the entire data value chain, from data collection to use. They also build a culture of data-driven decision making within organizations. Key steps in designing sustainable monitoring include defining objectives, improving processes, building human capacity, choosing proven technology, and regularly iterating the system based on user feedback.
Building national water and sanitation monitoring capacity in HaitiJohn Feighery
Presentation by mWater to the USAID Haiti Mission office on the experiences and lessons learned during the USAID Haiti Water and Sanitation Project (WATSAN). Includes a discussion of the challenges in improving public services in low-resource countries, the possibilities of using data-driven management, and specific outcomes achieved in Haiti. Closes with lessons learned that can be applied in other contexts.
2015 WASH e-Summit (Part 3): Engaging the community through WASH in SchoolsRotary International
Brought to you by Rotary and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, this final webinar in the series will focus on strategies to engage the community to implement sustainable WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene education) in Schools programs.
Sector experts will provide guidance on engaging the community through WASH in Schools projects to ensure local project ownership and lasting community improvements.
The document discusses challenges in delivering sustainable rural water services. While coverage has increased significantly with tens of billions invested, about 730 million remain unserved and 30-40% of handpumps in Africa are non-functional. Failure rates are unacceptable and investments are largely wasted. The focus needs to shift from initial construction to establishing long-term water services through strengthening sectors, appropriate financing, management models, and support for operations and maintenance. National governments, donors, NGOs and communities must work together to establish permanent water services.
mWater is a social enterprise that uses mobile platforms to collect and share water quality data, helping provide access to safe drinking water in developing areas. Their mobile app allows users to map and monitor local water sources, and functions like "Yelp for water" by allowing people to view and share information about water safety. They currently have over 2,000 users across multiple countries and partnerships with large organizations. mWater is seeking funding to expand their work of addressing the global issues of lack of access to clean water and waterborne diseases using innovative mobile technologies.
This document summarizes water conservation media campaigns from several water authorities in Texas. It describes the North Texas Municipal Water District's long-running "Water IQ: Know Your Water" campaign, which aimed to increase customers' knowledge of their water source through various advertising approaches from 2006-2015. Evaluation found the campaign successfully boosted awareness of water sources and reduced annual and peak water usage. The document also outlines campaign strategies and successes from other water providers like San Jacinto River Authority.
This document discusses the need for investment in water infrastructure in the US, estimated to be between $1.2 trillion to $4.8 trillion over the next 20 years. It also notes that water utilities are underfunding their capital improvement plans. The document advocates for using conservation and customer engagement strategies to help address the funding gap. Conservation can help downsize and delay the need for new, more expensive water sources. Engagement is important to build customer satisfaction, which leads to more support for utility practices. New digital reporting tools that provide social comparisons and tips can help drive higher levels of water savings and engagement compared to traditional programs.
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures like an infrastructure focus rather than service delivery, lack of long-term support, and poor coordination. The document calls for a new paradigm centered on a service delivery approach with principles-based interventions at various levels to achieve sustainable services at scale.
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures, such as an infrastructure focus rather than a service delivery approach. The document advocates adopting principles for policy, financing, planning, and coordination across local, national and international levels to establish long-term sustainable water services.
Providing Sustainable Services at Scale (IRC & Aguaconsult)IRC
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures like an infrastructure focus rather than service delivery, lack of sector capacity building and support, and poor coordination. The document advocates adopting a service delivery approach with principles like clear roles, planning, learning, appropriate technology, long-term support and oversight to achieve sustainable services at scale.
Housing and sanitation initiatives 2014-05-20bwi-india
Co-creation teams met in Helsinki on May 20th in workshop to tune their plans. Indian Ambassador in Finland Mr. Manickam was an active contributor during the workshop.
HTN Collective impact in Austin Final SlidesNikki Trevino
The document summarizes the work of the Healthy Youth Partnership (HYP) in Austin, Texas to improve youth services through collaboration. HYP was formed to address the needs identified in a needs assessment involving numerous organizations. It focuses on collective impact principles like having a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. HYP has experienced both support like from partner organizations and challenges like lack of funding in sustaining its work. It outlines strategies used to strengthen collaborations like leadership development and funding partnerships.
This document discusses community management of rural water supply systems and the need for a paradigm shift from solely relying on community management to a model of "community management plus" external support. It outlines the common system of establishing infrastructure and handing it over to local water user committees for management. However, field realities often show lip service is paid to community participation principles and technology failures exceed local repair capacity. A new approach is needed where external support enhances committee performance, recognizes threats, and plans for more sustainable professionalized service delivery models in the future.
Voice for Change Partnership : roles of CSOs in achieving SDG6IRC
The Voice for Change Partnership (V4CP) programme is a capacity development programme for civil society organizations (CSOs) in six countries across four areas including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). VCP is a partnership between DGIS, SNV, IFPRI (International Food Policy and Research Institute) and CSOs. The capacity development activities focus on evidence creation and dissemination, and evidence-based advocacy. In Kenya, the V4CP WASH component supports CSO advocacy for improved stakeholder participation and coordination, increased budget allocation, and influencing policy review and development. CSOs used evidence from GIS mapping and the water testing to convince county governments to take action to improve sanitation. The data collected was also used to advocate for increased sanitation investment participatory budgeting. The presentation concludes with challenges and lessons learnt from the Kenya the V4CP WASH component. Presented at the WASH Debate “Dialogue and dissent: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030”, in The Hague, the Netherlands on 26 June 2019.
Presented by Christophe Besacier and Robin Chazdon during Enhancing restoration capacities in African drylands: A decade for action session of GLF Africa
Any humanitarian or service project begins by
understanding a community’s needs. This crucial
first step identifies your beneficiaries’ needs as well
as the natural assets that will help you address them.
We will give you the knowledge and resources to
involve community members, inventory assets, build
relationships with local leaders, and more. Learn how
to maximize your project’s impact by deepening your
understanding of the communities you serve.
Moderator: Victor Barnes, Director of Programs and
1) Much effort has been made to improve sustainability and scale of rural water services, but challenges remain with unacceptable system failure rates of 30-40% resulting in wasted investments and negative health impacts.
2) A new Service Delivery Approach is proposed that moves beyond an infrastructure focus to consider all elements of a water service through strengthening systemic capacity, planning for the long-term lifecycle costs, and improving coordination across different levels.
3) A Service Delivery Model is described that applies this approach through clearly defining the policy, institutional, financial, and management roles from the local to national levels to establish a functional water service.
This document discusses strategies for scaling up successful watershed management. It identifies the key elements needed, including:
1) Planning and implementing at the appropriate scales, such as the HUC 8 level for assessment and prioritization, and HUC 10/12 for planning and projects.
2) Developing necessary support systems like coordinated human capital through watershed managers, social capital by engaging communities, supportive policies and funding frameworks.
3) Creating a "scalable unit" that incorporates scale-appropriate planning and implementation along with these support elements. A potential model is a Midwest Watershed Collaborative to help operationalize scale-up through activities like knowledge sharing, leadership development, and policy influence.
This document discusses the role of community-based extension systems in bridging the gap between resource-poor farmers and extension services. It reviews systems implemented in 4 countries, finding that community extension agents remain active and are the preferred source of information for remote farmers. Keys to success identified include selection and training, formal recognition, income opportunities, availability and flexibility, and accountability. The document argues that community-based systems should complement, not compete with, other approaches through strategic support at national levels.
How to Organize a Vocational Training Team for Maternal and Child HealthRotary International
Experienced Rotarians will share information about
different types of vocational training teams. You’ll learn
tips for organizing visits for planning, finding resources,
developing partnerships, monitoring, and evaluation.
The Rotary Club of Koronadal is working on a project legacy to bring positive and sustainable change to communities by meeting their needs through nutritional programs, reward projects, and sustainability projects. The club will plan, implement, and evaluate the multi-year project to document their work, inform others, and help communities improve their self-sufficiency over five years.
Broken pumps and pipes: Why the rural water sector has failed to deliver trul...International WaterCentre
- The rural water sector has struggled to deliver sustainable services, with 30-40% of hand pumps in Africa not functioning and 730 million still unserved.
- There has been an overemphasis on expanding coverage through infrastructure building without consideration for long-term operation and maintenance costs, leading to high failure rates.
- A new service delivery approach is needed that focuses on establishing permanent water services through strengthened sector policies, cost planning, oversight, capacity support, and long-term funding commitments rather than just expanding coverage.
This document discusses decentralization of rural water services in various countries. It finds that while all countries have undergone or are undergoing decentralization processes, progress has been mixed, with some experiencing only "paper reforms" that fail to provide local governments with the capacity or resources to take over responsibilities. Success in rural water sectors appears linked to broader public sector reforms, including stable fiscal flows to local governments and clear definition of roles. However, local governments often still lack skills and resources to fully support water service delivery life cycles. The process of decentralization takes many decades even in developed countries.
“I want to do a water project but I don’t know where to start!” This is a common challenge. Doing a community needs assessment is a crucial piece to planning successful projects but can often seem like a daunting task. Join us for a great conversation and fun exercise in doing a community assessment in water and sanitation, and go back to your district with a better understanding of community assessment and planning tools.
Moderator: F. Ronald Denham, RI/USAID Steering Committee Member
Rotary Club of Toronto Eglinton, Ontario, Canada
Presentation to Columbia University's Engineering for Developing Communities class, May 2019. Provides a background on the transition from the MDG to the SDG era in water and sanitation, the current status of the sector, and how data can play a role in accelerating progress toward safely managed water and sanitation.
This document discusses strategies for achieving large-scale watershed management. It outlines the challenges of reaching nutrient reduction goals across large areas. The authors propose a theory of change involving defining scalable watershed units and developing necessary elements like human capital, social capital, watershed policies, and financing. Specific proposals include establishing watershed coordinators, building social networks, aligning goals with science, and ensuring diverse and stable funding. The document argues this framework could help watershed efforts scale up practices to significantly improve water quality.
mWater is a social enterprise that uses mobile platforms to collect and share water quality data, helping provide access to safe drinking water in developing areas. Their mobile app allows users to map and monitor local water sources, and functions like "Yelp for water" by allowing people to view and share information about water safety. They currently have over 2,000 users across multiple countries and partnerships with large organizations. mWater is seeking funding to expand their work of addressing the global issues of lack of access to clean water and waterborne diseases using innovative mobile technologies.
This document summarizes water conservation media campaigns from several water authorities in Texas. It describes the North Texas Municipal Water District's long-running "Water IQ: Know Your Water" campaign, which aimed to increase customers' knowledge of their water source through various advertising approaches from 2006-2015. Evaluation found the campaign successfully boosted awareness of water sources and reduced annual and peak water usage. The document also outlines campaign strategies and successes from other water providers like San Jacinto River Authority.
This document discusses the need for investment in water infrastructure in the US, estimated to be between $1.2 trillion to $4.8 trillion over the next 20 years. It also notes that water utilities are underfunding their capital improvement plans. The document advocates for using conservation and customer engagement strategies to help address the funding gap. Conservation can help downsize and delay the need for new, more expensive water sources. Engagement is important to build customer satisfaction, which leads to more support for utility practices. New digital reporting tools that provide social comparisons and tips can help drive higher levels of water savings and engagement compared to traditional programs.
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures like an infrastructure focus rather than service delivery, lack of long-term support, and poor coordination. The document calls for a new paradigm centered on a service delivery approach with principles-based interventions at various levels to achieve sustainable services at scale.
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures, such as an infrastructure focus rather than a service delivery approach. The document advocates adopting principles for policy, financing, planning, and coordination across local, national and international levels to establish long-term sustainable water services.
Providing Sustainable Services at Scale (IRC & Aguaconsult)IRC
The document discusses challenges in providing sustainable water services at scale in developing countries. It notes that 30-40% of water systems fail, wasting financial investments. It analyzes reasons for failures like an infrastructure focus rather than service delivery, lack of sector capacity building and support, and poor coordination. The document advocates adopting a service delivery approach with principles like clear roles, planning, learning, appropriate technology, long-term support and oversight to achieve sustainable services at scale.
Housing and sanitation initiatives 2014-05-20bwi-india
Co-creation teams met in Helsinki on May 20th in workshop to tune their plans. Indian Ambassador in Finland Mr. Manickam was an active contributor during the workshop.
HTN Collective impact in Austin Final SlidesNikki Trevino
The document summarizes the work of the Healthy Youth Partnership (HYP) in Austin, Texas to improve youth services through collaboration. HYP was formed to address the needs identified in a needs assessment involving numerous organizations. It focuses on collective impact principles like having a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. HYP has experienced both support like from partner organizations and challenges like lack of funding in sustaining its work. It outlines strategies used to strengthen collaborations like leadership development and funding partnerships.
This document discusses community management of rural water supply systems and the need for a paradigm shift from solely relying on community management to a model of "community management plus" external support. It outlines the common system of establishing infrastructure and handing it over to local water user committees for management. However, field realities often show lip service is paid to community participation principles and technology failures exceed local repair capacity. A new approach is needed where external support enhances committee performance, recognizes threats, and plans for more sustainable professionalized service delivery models in the future.
Voice for Change Partnership : roles of CSOs in achieving SDG6IRC
The Voice for Change Partnership (V4CP) programme is a capacity development programme for civil society organizations (CSOs) in six countries across four areas including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). VCP is a partnership between DGIS, SNV, IFPRI (International Food Policy and Research Institute) and CSOs. The capacity development activities focus on evidence creation and dissemination, and evidence-based advocacy. In Kenya, the V4CP WASH component supports CSO advocacy for improved stakeholder participation and coordination, increased budget allocation, and influencing policy review and development. CSOs used evidence from GIS mapping and the water testing to convince county governments to take action to improve sanitation. The data collected was also used to advocate for increased sanitation investment participatory budgeting. The presentation concludes with challenges and lessons learnt from the Kenya the V4CP WASH component. Presented at the WASH Debate “Dialogue and dissent: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030”, in The Hague, the Netherlands on 26 June 2019.
Presented by Christophe Besacier and Robin Chazdon during Enhancing restoration capacities in African drylands: A decade for action session of GLF Africa
Any humanitarian or service project begins by
understanding a community’s needs. This crucial
first step identifies your beneficiaries’ needs as well
as the natural assets that will help you address them.
We will give you the knowledge and resources to
involve community members, inventory assets, build
relationships with local leaders, and more. Learn how
to maximize your project’s impact by deepening your
understanding of the communities you serve.
Moderator: Victor Barnes, Director of Programs and
1) Much effort has been made to improve sustainability and scale of rural water services, but challenges remain with unacceptable system failure rates of 30-40% resulting in wasted investments and negative health impacts.
2) A new Service Delivery Approach is proposed that moves beyond an infrastructure focus to consider all elements of a water service through strengthening systemic capacity, planning for the long-term lifecycle costs, and improving coordination across different levels.
3) A Service Delivery Model is described that applies this approach through clearly defining the policy, institutional, financial, and management roles from the local to national levels to establish a functional water service.
This document discusses strategies for scaling up successful watershed management. It identifies the key elements needed, including:
1) Planning and implementing at the appropriate scales, such as the HUC 8 level for assessment and prioritization, and HUC 10/12 for planning and projects.
2) Developing necessary support systems like coordinated human capital through watershed managers, social capital by engaging communities, supportive policies and funding frameworks.
3) Creating a "scalable unit" that incorporates scale-appropriate planning and implementation along with these support elements. A potential model is a Midwest Watershed Collaborative to help operationalize scale-up through activities like knowledge sharing, leadership development, and policy influence.
This document discusses the role of community-based extension systems in bridging the gap between resource-poor farmers and extension services. It reviews systems implemented in 4 countries, finding that community extension agents remain active and are the preferred source of information for remote farmers. Keys to success identified include selection and training, formal recognition, income opportunities, availability and flexibility, and accountability. The document argues that community-based systems should complement, not compete with, other approaches through strategic support at national levels.
How to Organize a Vocational Training Team for Maternal and Child HealthRotary International
Experienced Rotarians will share information about
different types of vocational training teams. You’ll learn
tips for organizing visits for planning, finding resources,
developing partnerships, monitoring, and evaluation.
The Rotary Club of Koronadal is working on a project legacy to bring positive and sustainable change to communities by meeting their needs through nutritional programs, reward projects, and sustainability projects. The club will plan, implement, and evaluate the multi-year project to document their work, inform others, and help communities improve their self-sufficiency over five years.
Broken pumps and pipes: Why the rural water sector has failed to deliver trul...International WaterCentre
- The rural water sector has struggled to deliver sustainable services, with 30-40% of hand pumps in Africa not functioning and 730 million still unserved.
- There has been an overemphasis on expanding coverage through infrastructure building without consideration for long-term operation and maintenance costs, leading to high failure rates.
- A new service delivery approach is needed that focuses on establishing permanent water services through strengthened sector policies, cost planning, oversight, capacity support, and long-term funding commitments rather than just expanding coverage.
This document discusses decentralization of rural water services in various countries. It finds that while all countries have undergone or are undergoing decentralization processes, progress has been mixed, with some experiencing only "paper reforms" that fail to provide local governments with the capacity or resources to take over responsibilities. Success in rural water sectors appears linked to broader public sector reforms, including stable fiscal flows to local governments and clear definition of roles. However, local governments often still lack skills and resources to fully support water service delivery life cycles. The process of decentralization takes many decades even in developed countries.
“I want to do a water project but I don’t know where to start!” This is a common challenge. Doing a community needs assessment is a crucial piece to planning successful projects but can often seem like a daunting task. Join us for a great conversation and fun exercise in doing a community assessment in water and sanitation, and go back to your district with a better understanding of community assessment and planning tools.
Moderator: F. Ronald Denham, RI/USAID Steering Committee Member
Rotary Club of Toronto Eglinton, Ontario, Canada
Presentation to Columbia University's Engineering for Developing Communities class, May 2019. Provides a background on the transition from the MDG to the SDG era in water and sanitation, the current status of the sector, and how data can play a role in accelerating progress toward safely managed water and sanitation.
This document discusses strategies for achieving large-scale watershed management. It outlines the challenges of reaching nutrient reduction goals across large areas. The authors propose a theory of change involving defining scalable watershed units and developing necessary elements like human capital, social capital, watershed policies, and financing. Specific proposals include establishing watershed coordinators, building social networks, aligning goals with science, and ensuring diverse and stable funding. The document argues this framework could help watershed efforts scale up practices to significantly improve water quality.
This document discusses India's progress towards achieving "Everyone Forever" (EF), which means ensuring everyone has sustainable access to water and sanitation services indefinitely. It notes that while coverage is nearly universal, over 30% of systems are not functioning properly. The document outlines factors like existing policies and investments that could support EF, but notes financing is not currently designed for long-term resilience. It proposes developing service delivery models, monitoring, and financing plans to achieve EF through collaboration between various stakeholders at national, state, district and community levels. Success would be measured by impact indicators like the percentage of people with reliable water supply meeting quality standards and user satisfaction levels.
RI/USAID International H2O Collaboration - Partnering for SuccessRotary International
The Rotary International-USAID International H2O Collaboration is a partnership between Rotary and the U.S. Agency for International Development that supports lasting, positive change to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Rotarians will discuss successes and challenges in their work with this major international development agency in Ghana, Uganda, and Madagascar. You’ll hear some of the lessons learned in the partnership planning and design phase and learn about opportunities for advocacy and innovation in service.
The Association for the Development of Pakistan (ADP) is a volunteer-driven, engaged venture philanthropy organization that works with promising nonprofits and funds carefully selected development projects across Pakistan.
This is the Q2 and Q3 update to the Board of Directors for 2014 that we want to share with all our stakeholders.
http://developpakistan.org
What You Need to Know about Small Drinking Water Systems: Barnesnado-web
This presentation was delivered at NADO's 2018 Annual Training Conference, held in Charlotte, NC on October 13-16. For more information, visit: https://www.nado.org/events/2018-annual-training-conference/
The Association for the Development of Pakistan (ADP) is a volunteer-driven, engaged venture philanthropy organization that works with promising nonprofits and funds carefully selected development projects across Pakistan.
This is our first board presentation and YTD update that we want to share with all our stakeholders.
http://developpakistan.org
The blog Thrive was created in 2012 by the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems to further discussion around agriculture, ecosystems, and sustainability. Over its first 3 years, it published 369 posts from 174 authors from 76 organizations, receiving over 280,000 pageviews. It succeeded in engaging researchers and furthering discourse on important issues. Looking ahead, it plans to continue serving as an open forum while exploring partnerships and themes like WLE's Phase 2 research and the impacts of the Anthropocene on sustainable intensification. Budget constraints require examining opportunities for cost-sharing and involvement from other programs.
Everyone should have access to clean water, but unfortunately, this is not the case. How can you identify opportunities for water cooperatives? We have a successful record of maximizing in-country products and stimulating local economies in our projects, and we can help you with your grants and training. Let's work together to create safe communities for all.
Water.org approach and activities to promote microfinance for sanitation (Dar...Trémolet Consulting
Water.org is a key player in microfinance for sanitation. the US-based NGO has been championining an approach built on "smart subsidies" whereby financial institutions are trained and capacitated to provide loans for sanitation (and water).
Hygiene & Sanitation - Overview of ApproachesJonathan Wiles
Delivered by Janet Ausel of Samaritan's Purse, this presentation is an overview of seven different approaches to hygiene and sanitation promotion that can be used in international development programs
The document summarizes the outcomes of a symposium on monitoring sustainable WASH service delivery. Key points discussed included:
1) Country monitoring systems are being led by governments and linked to sector reforms, but support is still needed and accountability must be ensured.
2) There is a balance to be struck between standardized global monitoring and flexibility for national priorities and contexts. Indicators and approaches are still evolving.
3) Monitoring of human resources, sanitation/hygiene, ICT tools, and finance are advancing but have gaps to address regarding analysis, use of data, and sustainability.
4) Overall trends show governments investing more in national monitoring systems, but coherence across global and local levels needs improving
Governments: Faraj El-Awar,UN Habitat, WCCE, 16th January UN Water Zaragoza C...water-decade
The document discusses challenges and tools for realizing human rights to water and sanitation. It outlines implementation challenges including inadequate financing, outdated infrastructure, weak governance and limited capacity. It then presents five case studies showing how tools like mapping access, workshops to improve sanitation, cost-benefit analyses, empowering women in management, and creating independent regulatory bodies have helped address these challenges and advance rights in locations like Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Nigeria and Portugal. The key lessons are that economic evidence, advocacy, capacity building and political will for independent regulation can help creation and replication of successful tools.
Final outline plan for webinar evaluation and impact assessment mof 2004 EricaPackingtonIOD
This document provides guidance for consultants conducting evaluations and impact assessments of WaterAid's Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) programme. It outlines the purpose and key stakeholders for the evaluation and impact assessment. Consultants have 25 days to complete both exercises. The evaluation will assess programme performance against objectives, while the impact assessment focuses on understanding changes in people's lives resulting from the programme. Guidance is provided on evaluation questions, methodology, timelines, and the differences between evaluations and impact assessments. Countries will take different approaches depending on whether a full or small-scale evaluation is required.
CSO Partners in collaboration with CII conducted a CSR Online Educational Series exclusively for NGOs. This is the second presentation in the series
It covers the following topic
- Demonstrating accountability
- Being transparent
- Building visibility
- NGO accreditation
World Water e-Summit (Part 1): Working with Governments on Rotary Water, Sani...Rotary International
Whether you are interested in planning your first water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) project or are ready to scale up an existing WASH initiative, join us to hear about collaborative strategies to jump start or expand your Rotary WASH efforts.
Brought to you by Rotary and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, sector experts will share strategies for partnering with local and national governments to incorporate sustainability and improve your WASH project impact.
The document discusses monitoring, evaluation, resolution, and learning (MERL) approaches for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sustainability projects. It outlines how the four MERL elements should be incorporated throughout the project life cycle, from design to post-project management. Tools like surveys, frameworks, and case studies are presented to help integrate resolution, or addressing problems identified, into projects. The webinar series aims to close the "resolution gap" by providing resources for systematically resolving issues.
2015 WASH E-Summit (Part 2): WASH in Schools Beyond Toilets and Tap: Behavior...Rotary International
This document summarizes a webinar on behavior change through hygiene education in schools. It discusses how the SPLASH program in Zambia used habit formation strategies like daily group handwashing to improve hygiene behaviors. Small doable actions and reminders paired with facilities helped establish new habits. Schools also influenced household practices through community mobilization. Challenges include advocacy, access to resources, and sustainability, but multi-year programming can help ensure lasting impact. Rotary clubs can support behavior change by forming community corps and making follow-up visits after projects.
Similar to Water for Life: Promoting Accountability: Monitoring WASH Services & the Enabling Environment Long After Implementation (20)
Session Building from WASH to IWRM - photo galleryIRC
On 15 October 2023, by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh and IRC organised a panel session titled Building WASH into IWRM at the 9th International Conference on Water and Flood Management (ICWFM 2023).
The session drew examples from three NGO-led diverse WASH programmes intervening in different regions and different administrative settings of Bangladesh. The three NGOs that shared their programme experiences were BRAC, SNV and the Max Foundation.
Learn more
https://www.ircwash.org/blog/wash-crucial-component-iwrm
The document summarizes photos taken in 2023 of the sewage plant in Norton, Zimbabwe. The plant was originally constructed in the 1950s but had fallen into disrepair by 2017. It underwent refurbishment with support from Welthungerhilfe to repair damaged infrastructure like leaking sewage pipes. The conventional treatment plant includes intake works, primary clarifiers, trickling filters, humus tanks, and sludge drying beds. While parts of the system have been repaired, the partially treated sewage still flows directly to nearby farms from the holding ponds.
Climate Resilient Water Safety Plan ImplementationIRC
The Water Development Commission shared the experience with the Climate Resilient Water Safety Plan (CR WSP) implementation approach in Ethiopia during a learning workshop. This workshop was held in Adama, Ethiopia, on 23 September 2021.
Presentation by Gezahegn Lemecha from IRC WASH on the concept of Climate Resilient WASH. This presentation was given during the Climate Resilient WASH learning workshop in Adama, Ethiopia, on 23 September 2021.
Overview of enabling environment and implementation of climate resilient WASH IRC
Presentation given by the Ethiopian Water Development Commission during the Climate Resilient WASH workshop in Adama, Ethiopia. This workshop was held on 23 September 2021.
The document summarizes ways that households in sub-Saharan Africa develop self-supplied water sources through methods like wells, rainwater harvesting, and springs. It discusses how households incrementally improve their water systems over time. It also outlines three ways self-supply can be supported: 1) through technical advisory services and guidelines, 2) by strengthening the private sector, and 3) with policies and budgets to aid households in construction and supply improvement. The document promotes a new book on self-supply and filling gaps in public water provision.
Self-supply refers to households taking responsibility for developing their own water sources through various methods like digging wells, collecting rainwater, or protecting springs. This document outlines the key reasons households pursue self-supply due to issues with public water systems like long wait times. It then describes common self-supply methods in Sub-Saharan Africa like family wells and rainwater harvesting. The document emphasizes that self-supply should be supported through technical advice, private sector development, and policies that help households improve their water sources over time.
This short document encourages the reader to take a second to think about how they can help transform billions of lives but provides no other context or details. It is unclear from the text alone what specific actions or causes the reader is being asked to consider to help transform lives at a global scale.
Webinar : Adapting your advocacy to COVID-19 health crisisIRC
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing development programmes to rapidly readjust their advocacy strategy to support local or national governments in their emergency planning. The Watershed empowering citizens programme organised a webinar attended by over 60 participants on 15 April 2020, to discuss and learn about: ways to adapt advocacy approaches in time of COVID-19; practical examples of shifting activities at national and local levels; ways to reach your target audience while social distancing; ways to adapt your messaging, keeping Watershed priorities through the lens of COVID-19.
This report includes the webinar Powerpoint presentations and some recommendations based on the Q&A session. The titles and authors of the presentations are: "Why is strong advocacy essential during a crisis?" by Evita Rosenberg (IRC); "Watershed Bangladesh : adapting advocacy approaches during COVID 19 outbreak" by Ranjan Kumar Ghose (WaterAid Bangladesh); and "Adapting advocacy approaches in Kenya "by Patrick Mwanzia (Simavi Kenya).
Novel partnership between NWSC and Kabarole District to provide safe water to...IRC
Pius Mugabi of the Kabarole District Local Government, Martin Watsisi and Angela Huston of IRC and Denis Maramuzi, Area Manager of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Fort Portal, Kabarole worked together on preparing a presentation for the 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition in Uganda.
Their presentation focused on a new partnership between NWSC and Kabarole District to extend NWSC’s piped network to provide safe water to communities in the hard-to-reach Kabende sub county. This novel public-public partnership is part of the increasing trend of rural utilisation. NWSC is extending into more small towns and rural growth centres with a broadened mandate and through the SCAP100 Programme will reach 12,000 new villages during 2017-2020.
Interested in more information on the case of Kabende sub county in Kabarole district and the progress so far? Check the presentation slides.
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) Conflict sensitivity support and tools. Referenced in the IRC WASH debate "Sustainable WASH service delivery and local WRM in fragile states: how far can you get?" which took place 20 November 2019 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Watershed Mali : strengthening civil society for sustainable WASH-IWRM in MaliIRC
The political crisis and insecurity existing in Mali since 2012 has had a negative impact on the country’s water and sanitation sector. Normative frameworks are non-existent or unknown, polices and laws are not enforced, water quality is hardly monitored and budget commitments are unclear. The lack of knowledge about the human rights to water and sanitation has led to poor accountability, and civil society organisations (CSOs) lack capacity to advocate and lobby for better services.
Within the above context, the Watershed empowering citizens Mali country programme focuses on two main issues: (1) water quality and waste management and (2) universal access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. So far the programme has been able to enhance the capacities, credibility and audience of water and sanitation CSOs, including the Alliance Citoyenne Pour l’Eau et l’Assainissement (ACEA-Mali). A multi-stakeholder forum has been established and coalitions of CSOs, local government and media have been strengthened, which can mobilise stakeholders, including Parliament.
Because there enough water and faecal sludge disposal is not seen as a problem in rural areas, there is little incentive to integrate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and water resources management (WRM). Watershed is trying to stimulate integration by developing a handbook and guideline in combination with collaboration with CSO networks and donor-funded programmes.
Issues emerging from the Watershed Mali programme include how CSOs can influence decision makers to increase national WASH budget allocations infragile states, how to harmonise the institutional and legal frameworks of the WASH and WRM sectors, how to encourage innovation.
A joint presentation by Afou Chantal Bengaly (Wetlands International) and Ele Jan Saaf (SaafConsult) at the WASH Debate "Sustainable WASH service delivery and local WRM in fragile states: how far can you get?", in The Hague, the Netherlands on 20 November 2019.
WASH systems strengthening in the Central African RepublicIRC
Water for Good (WFG) works exclusively in the Central African Republic (CAR), a country facing extreme economic fragility. The road blocks set up by the non-state armed groups, which control nearly 80% of the territory, have a significant impact on the country's economy. WFG has been operating in the CAR since 2004, initially as a borehole drilling organisation, and shortly thereafter, as a handpump maintenance service provider. It has created a circuit rider approach for preventative maintenance and uses an electronic reporting system.
After joining Agenda for Change in 2017, WFG opted to adopt IRC's systems approach to go beyond their preventative maintenance programme and work towards universal, sustainable access. WFG opted to pilot a district-wide approach in Mambéré-Kadéi, while maintaining periodic preventative maintenance in other prefectures. In the pilot area, WFG focused on the following system blocking blocks: infrastructure, monitoring, finance, planning and institutions. At the same time it is helping to build up regional capacity for systems strengthening.
In conclusion, WFG believes it is possible to strengthen systems in fragile states, thanks to their organisation's long-term presence in CAR, their ability to plug short-term projects into the larger roadmap, and their ability to work with systems champions. The intention is not to build parallel systems, but to champion a roadmap that is both supported by all WASH stakeholders and adequately funded.
Presentation by David De Armey, Director of International Partnerships, Water for Good at the WASH Debate "Sustainable WASH service delivery and local WRM in fragile states: how far can you get?", in The Hague, the Netherlands on 20 November 2019.
Finding the flow in fragile contexts : IWRM in MaliIRC
What has World Waternet learned by implementing an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach in Mali? In the Blue Deal Dji Don project, World Waternet supports the Agence Nationale de Gestion des Stations d’Épuration du Mali (ANGESEM) to improve wastewater management. Presentation by Annette Rozendaal-Morón, World Waternet at the WASH Debate "Sustainable WASH service delivery and local WRM in fragile states: how far can you get?", in The Hague, the Netherlands on 20 November 2019.
This presentation by Ambrose Kibuuka is a part of IRC’s in-house “What’s for Lunch series”, It reviews progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for sanitation and hygiene, sector trends focusing on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and sanitation marketing, and how rich nations achieved universal access to sanitation. It also briefly looks at WASH linkages with climate change, stunting, nutrition, and gender and social inclusion. The presentation concludes that unsafely managed sanitation, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge in developing countries as a result of population growth, climate change and the lack of funding for on-site sanitation and faecal sludge removal. Systems strengthening (in particular access to financing) and strong public commitment are required to achieve universal access to sanitation by 2030. The presentation includes a list of 21 references.
Social accountability : civil society and the human rights to water and sanit...IRC
The Watershed programme supports civil society organisations (CSOs) both on normative content (and claiming their rights if not yet met) as well as supporting CSOs to engage in the procedural part/principles of human rights to water and sanitation. The social accountability approach used by Watershed is based on the principles of access to information, non-discrimination, accountability and participation. The role of CSOs includes holding government to account for their obligation to ensure that everyone’s human rights are fulfilled, protected and respected. For this Watershed uses the Social Accountability Model developed by Water Witness International. Conclusions and reflection are provided on how this model has been used in Kenya and Bangladesh. Presentation by Esther de Vreede, Simavi, at the WASH Debate “Dialogue and dissent: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030”, in The Hague, the Netherlands on 26 June 2019.
Wash Debates: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030IRC
What can civil society organisations do to advance progress towards SDG 6? What are the major obstacles that impede their efforts and more importantly, how can they be overcome?
Images from the IRC WASH Debates series, which took place 26 June 2019 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The end of the poldermodel? : the role of dissent in Dutch international wate...IRC
The Dutch NGO Both Ends is involved in two Strategic Partnerships for Dialogue & Dissent funded by the Netherlands government. One of them, the Fair Green & Global (FGG) Alliance, support capacity building of civil society organisations (CSOs) to effectively voice their views and hold policymakers and companies to account. The role of dissent is seen to contribute towards equality, equity and justice. The lessons learned by the FGG Alliance to address the concerns of Indonesian CSOs regarding land reclamations in Jakarta Bay Masterplan will be taken up to support CSO involvement in the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Masterplan in the Philippines. The challenges and opportunities for CSO involvement in Dutch-funded interventions in developing countries are briefly outlined. Presentation by Giacomo Galli at the WASH Debate “Dialogue and dissent: Looking at the role of civil society in achieving SDG 6 by 2030”, in The Hague, the Netherlands on 26 June 2019.
Keynote presentation by IRC CEO Patrick Moriarty for the 11th World Water Summit (WWS 11) of the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) on 31 May 2019 in Hamburg, Germany. It focuses on 3 points. One, that delivering water, sanitation and hygiene services requires a functioning water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) system (made up of multiple actors and factors) and that to intervene effectively requires actively engaging with this system; two, that government has a crucial role to play within the WASH system and must be involved; and, three, that the way to drive systems change is through collective action. The presentation introduces the actors involved in the implementation of the Kabarole District WASH Masterplan in Uganda.
Dr. Sean Tan, Head of Data Science, Changi Airport Group
Discover how Changi Airport Group (CAG) leverages graph technologies and generative AI to revolutionize their search capabilities. This session delves into the unique search needs of CAG’s diverse passengers and customers, showcasing how graph data structures enhance the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated search results, mitigating the risk of “hallucinations” and improving the overall customer journey.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
GraphSummit Singapore | The Art of the Possible with Graph - Q2 2024Neo4j
Neha Bajwa, Vice President of Product Marketing, Neo4j
Join us as we explore breakthrough innovations enabled by interconnected data and AI. Discover firsthand how organizations use relationships in data to uncover contextual insights and solve our most pressing challenges – from optimizing supply chains, detecting fraud, and improving customer experiences to accelerating drug discoveries.
Removing Uninteresting Bytes in Software FuzzingAftab Hussain
Imagine a world where software fuzzing, the process of mutating bytes in test seeds to uncover hidden and erroneous program behaviors, becomes faster and more effective. A lot depends on the initial seeds, which can significantly dictate the trajectory of a fuzzing campaign, particularly in terms of how long it takes to uncover interesting behaviour in your code. We introduce DIAR, a technique designed to speedup fuzzing campaigns by pinpointing and eliminating those uninteresting bytes in the seeds. Picture this: instead of wasting valuable resources on meaningless mutations in large, bloated seeds, DIAR removes the unnecessary bytes, streamlining the entire process.
In this work, we equipped AFL, a popular fuzzer, with DIAR and examined two critical Linux libraries -- Libxml's xmllint, a tool for parsing xml documents, and Binutil's readelf, an essential debugging and security analysis command-line tool used to display detailed information about ELF (Executable and Linkable Format). Our preliminary results show that AFL+DIAR does not only discover new paths more quickly but also achieves higher coverage overall. This work thus showcases how starting with lean and optimized seeds can lead to faster, more comprehensive fuzzing campaigns -- and DIAR helps you find such seeds.
- These are slides of the talk given at IEEE International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation Workshop, ICSTW 2022.
Building Production Ready Search Pipelines with Spark and MilvusZilliz
Spark is the widely used ETL tool for processing, indexing and ingesting data to serving stack for search. Milvus is the production-ready open-source vector database. In this talk we will show how to use Spark to process unstructured data to extract vector representations, and push the vectors to Milvus vector database for search serving.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technologies, XML continues to play a vital role in structuring, storing, and transporting data across diverse systems. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present new methodologies for enhancing XML development workflows, introducing efficiency, automation, and intelligent capabilities. This presentation will outline the scope and perspective of utilizing AI in XML development. The potential benefits and the possible pitfalls will be highlighted, providing a balanced view of the subject.
We will explore the capabilities of AI in understanding XML markup languages and autonomously creating structured XML content. Additionally, we will examine the capacity of AI to enrich plain text with appropriate XML markup. Practical examples and methodological guidelines will be provided to elucidate how AI can be effectively prompted to interpret and generate accurate XML markup.
Further emphasis will be placed on the role of AI in developing XSLT, or schemas such as XSD and Schematron. We will address the techniques and strategies adopted to create prompts for generating code, explaining code, or refactoring the code, and the results achieved.
The discussion will extend to how AI can be used to transform XML content. In particular, the focus will be on the use of AI XPath extension functions in XSLT, Schematron, Schematron Quick Fixes, or for XML content refactoring.
The presentation aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of AI usage in XML development, providing attendees with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions. Whether you’re at the early stages of adopting AI or considering integrating it in advanced XML development, this presentation will cover all levels of expertise.
By highlighting the potential advantages and challenges of integrating AI with XML development tools and languages, the presentation seeks to inspire thoughtful conversation around the future of XML development. We’ll not only delve into the technical aspects of AI-powered XML development but also discuss practical implications and possible future directions.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 5DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 5. In this session, we will cover CI/CD with devops.
Topics covered:
CI/CD with in UiPath
End-to-end overview of CI/CD pipeline with Azure devops
Speaker:
Lyndsey Byblow, Test Suite Sales Engineer @ UiPath, Inc.
Unlock the Future of Search with MongoDB Atlas_ Vector Search Unleashed.pdfMalak Abu Hammad
Discover how MongoDB Atlas and vector search technology can revolutionize your application's search capabilities. This comprehensive presentation covers:
* What is Vector Search?
* Importance and benefits of vector search
* Practical use cases across various industries
* Step-by-step implementation guide
* Live demos with code snippets
* Enhancing LLM capabilities with vector search
* Best practices and optimization strategies
Perfect for developers, AI enthusiasts, and tech leaders. Learn how to leverage MongoDB Atlas to deliver highly relevant, context-aware search results, transforming your data retrieval process. Stay ahead in tech innovation and maximize the potential of your applications.
#MongoDB #VectorSearch #AI #SemanticSearch #TechInnovation #DataScience #LLM #MachineLearning #SearchTechnology
Climate Impact of Software Testing at Nordic Testing DaysKari Kakkonen
My slides at Nordic Testing Days 6.6.2024
Climate impact / sustainability of software testing discussed on the talk. ICT and testing must carry their part of global responsibility to help with the climat warming. We can minimize the carbon footprint but we can also have a carbon handprint, a positive impact on the climate. Quality characteristics can be added with sustainability, and then measured continuously. Test environments can be used less, and in smaller scale and on demand. Test techniques can be used in optimizing or minimizing number of tests. Test automation can be used to speed up testing.
Infrastructure Challenges in Scaling RAG with Custom AI modelsZilliz
Building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems with open-source and custom AI models is a complex task. This talk explores the challenges in productionizing RAG systems, including retrieval performance, response synthesis, and evaluation. We’ll discuss how to leverage open-source models like text embeddings, language models, and custom fine-tuned models to enhance RAG performance. Additionally, we’ll cover how BentoML can help orchestrate and scale these AI components efficiently, ensuring seamless deployment and management of RAG systems in the cloud.
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
Communications Mining Series - Zero to Hero - Session 1DianaGray10
This session provides introduction to UiPath Communication Mining, importance and platform overview. You will acquire a good understand of the phases in Communication Mining as we go over the platform with you. Topics covered:
• Communication Mining Overview
• Why is it important?
• How can it help today’s business and the benefits
• Phases in Communication Mining
• Demo on Platform overview
• Q/A
For the full video of this presentation, please visit: https://www.edge-ai-vision.com/2024/06/building-and-scaling-ai-applications-with-the-nx-ai-manager-a-presentation-from-network-optix/
Robin van Emden, Senior Director of Data Science at Network Optix, presents the “Building and Scaling AI Applications with the Nx AI Manager,” tutorial at the May 2024 Embedded Vision Summit.
In this presentation, van Emden covers the basics of scaling edge AI solutions using the Nx tool kit. He emphasizes the process of developing AI models and deploying them globally. He also showcases the conversion of AI models and the creation of effective edge AI pipelines, with a focus on pre-processing, model conversion, selecting the appropriate inference engine for the target hardware and post-processing.
van Emden shows how Nx can simplify the developer’s life and facilitate a rapid transition from concept to production-ready applications.He provides valuable insights into developing scalable and efficient edge AI solutions, with a strong focus on practical implementation.
Full-RAG: A modern architecture for hyper-personalizationZilliz
Mike Del Balso, CEO & Co-Founder at Tecton, presents "Full RAG," a novel approach to AI recommendation systems, aiming to push beyond the limitations of traditional models through a deep integration of contextual insights and real-time data, leveraging the Retrieval-Augmented Generation architecture. This talk will outline Full RAG's potential to significantly enhance personalization, address engineering challenges such as data management and model training, and introduce data enrichment with reranking as a key solution. Attendees will gain crucial insights into the importance of hyperpersonalization in AI, the capabilities of Full RAG for advanced personalization, and strategies for managing complex data integrations for deploying cutting-edge AI solutions.
Sudheer Mechineni, Head of Application Frameworks, Standard Chartered Bank
Discover how Standard Chartered Bank harnessed the power of Neo4j to transform complex data access challenges into a dynamic, scalable graph database solution. This keynote will cover their journey from initial adoption to deploying a fully automated, enterprise-grade causal cluster, highlighting key strategies for modelling organisational changes and ensuring robust disaster recovery. Learn how these innovations have not only enhanced Standard Chartered Bank’s data infrastructure but also positioned them as pioneers in the banking sector’s adoption of graph technology.
Goodbye Windows 11: Make Way for Nitrux Linux 3.5.0!SOFTTECHHUB
As the digital landscape continually evolves, operating systems play a critical role in shaping user experiences and productivity. The launch of Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 marks a significant milestone, offering a robust alternative to traditional systems such as Windows 11. This article delves into the essence of Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, exploring its unique features, advantages, and how it stands as a compelling choice for both casual users and tech enthusiasts.
Goodbye Windows 11: Make Way for Nitrux Linux 3.5.0!
Water for Life: Promoting Accountability: Monitoring WASH Services & the Enabling Environment Long After Implementation
1. Water for Life: Promoting Accountability
Monitoring WASH Services & the Enabling
Environment Long After Implementation
Susan Davis, Improve International
IRC Symposium on Monitoring Sustainable
WASH Service Delivery
April 2013
2. We will discuss…
• Why we need to promote accountability
• Outcomes of pilot ratings in Honduras
• How the evaluation has helped the
organizations
• What we learned about the process and the
criteria
• Barriers to implementation
• Plans to scale up and sustain initiative
3. WHY DO WE NEED A WATER & SANITATION
SUSTAINABILITY RATING?
4. 780 million+++
783 million people without access to improved source
of water (JMP)
3 billion without access to safe water (UNC)
4 billion without access to safe, permanent, in home
water (AquaFed)
2.5 billion+++
2.5 billion people without adequate sanitation (JMP)
4.1 billion lack access to improved sanitation (UNC)
35-50%
water and sanitation systems that fail within a few
years of construction
Less than 5%
water systems that are visited
at least once post-construction
Less than 1%
water systems that receive
ongoing long-term post construction monitoring
Our strategy of trust isn’t working.
5. 1981
USAID, 1981. The Role of Women as Participants &
Beneficiaries in Water Supply & Sanitation Programs
8. A need for different language: “Services
Monitoring & Services Evaluation”
• M&E usually means just during
the project timeframe
• Few incentives or resources to
pay attention over time
• We propose “services
monitoring” – several
governments are launching now
• And “services evaluation” which
is where this initiative falls –
regular evaluation at points
several years post-
implementation
• The only way to prove
sustainability
9. Who will a WASH Sustainability Rating help?
People lacking access to
water & sanitation
Will have services that last. Increased
accountability and better targeted
investments will ultimately result in
more effective and sustainable
programming for poor communities.
Governments, Banks &
Donors
Will be able to use project
sustainability ratings to target their
funds towards high performing
organizations
Implementing
organizations
Can learn from each other and be
rewarded for facilitating sustainable
WASH services
11. The WASH Rating System:
Trust but Verify
Self-
Assessmen
t
Forum
Member
Desk
Review
Field
Visit
Rating/
Certificatio
n
12. The WASH Rating
• Currently voluntary
• Higher standards than nonprofits would
normally pursue
• Gives organizations an incentive to maintain
high standards
• Based on similar self-regulatory systems
implemented in other sectors (e.g., Fair Trade)
13. What is the rating based on?
Key Domain Variable Score
A. Organizational
structure
Collaboration or coordination with other water and sanitation organizations blue
Organization is concerned with improving water and sanitation program
quality
blue
Organization is sustainable and maintains solid business practices green
B. Water Services Water system after construction blue
Water fee payment green
Water board policy green
C. Sanitation Most people in the community have access to a sanitary toilet green
Toilets are well-used in a sanitary manner and users are satisfied with the
toilets
green
Users have replacement strategy for toilets not connected to sewage system blue
D. Hygiene
Education
All households in community have convenient access to a safe water supply green
Household water use is sufficient to meet all needs for consumption/hygiene blue
Households demonstrate increased health and hygiene awareness over time green
E. Project design
& construction
The community has legal authority for the water source and water system blue
Water quality is tested and treated appropriately green
Water system is appropriately designed and well-constructed blue
Toilets/sanitation system is appropriately designed and well-constructed blue
F. Water system
Long-term O&M
System is well-used and users are satisfied with the system green
Repairs are addressed quickly and system undergoes routine maintenance yellow
User fees are paid by beneficiaries & system is financially self-supporting blue
G. Water source
protection
An active water source protection or environmental education component
exists in the community
green
H. Community
commitment
Community makes a financial contribution to the capital cost of the project blue
A competent local water board is created and functions effectively
15. COCEPRADIL, an NGO in Lempira, Honduras
Independent experts
and peer evaluators
inspect a spring.
Video: https://improveinternational.wordpress.com/programs/accountabilityforum/
16.
17. Community of San Francisco, Honduras
•20 year old system
•Regular tariff
payment by users
•Positive and
increasing bank
account balance
20. Overcome Barriers to Implementation
• Building knowledge and
confidence of this tool
with governments &
donors
• Concerns from
organizations
• Acceptance of standards
• Obtaining required
information
• Start up funds
21. DSK – Bangladesh April 2013
Participating peers: Water.org, WaterAid, Water For
People, CRS (invited)
Conduct More Ratings
22. Create incentives: online resource for
governments, banks & donors
washratings.org
WASH Ratings
South
America
West Africa East Africa
Southern Africa
Southeast Asia
providing independent ratings of international WASH projects
Central America
23. Create incentives: develop special fund to invest in
programs with green or blue rating
washratings.org/honduras
WASH Ratings: Honduras
1
3
2
4
5
1. COCEPRADIL
2. Agua Org A
3. Agua Org B
4. Agua Org C
5. Agua Org D
25. Potential
Board
Composition
4 rotating WASH funding organizations
5 rotating certified
implementing
organizations
2 government (water ministry) and WASH research institution
representatives
1 independent evaluator representative
Governing Board Members
26. Discussion Questions
• Is the life span limited to the duration of a project?
No. In fact only considering 5 plus years after implementation
• Are they integrated in country-led monitoring systems?
Possibly can be, but this is evaluation vs. monitoring
• Who is the long term owner of the frameworks and the
information gathered with them?
We hope that ultimately this will be country-led initiative
(either by Government or National Water Network)
• What are the incentives beyond the project to use the
frameworks?
More funds to high performing organizations; more
confidence could lead to greater investment in the sector
27. For more information
Susan – sdavis@improveinternational.org
Marla – marlasmith@water1st.org
www.improveinternational.org/programs
Editor's Notes
School water point installed in typhoon emergency relief effort. Residents report that it was non-functional less than 6 months later.
These criteria were vetted with a broad group of sector actors. However, we should plan to vet them with each government.