Network Partners

Main Coordinator


 Newcastle University, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology (UoNew), (United Kingdom)

Partners in Alphabetical Order



School of Geography, Politics and Sociology (GPS), Newcastle University, United Kingdom

The University of Newcastle is an international centre of excellence in water research. The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology (GPS) is the focus for applied social sciences in the water field. Researchers of GPS work on urban infrastructure in developing countries, gender and indigenous studies, privatization of the water industry and sustainable livelihoods.

Recent relevant research projects where the principal researchers in this research network have participated include:

“Barriers to and conditions for the involvement of private capital and enterprise in water supply and sanitation in Latin America and Africa: seeking economic, social, and environmental sustainability PRINWASS (2001-2004)” (European Commission - 5th Framework Programme, INCO-DEV, Contract ICA4-CT-2001-10041).

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Academy for the Study of the Environment and Social Well-being, India

The Academy is located in the city of Aligarh, about 140 kms. to the east of New Delhi. It aims to provide a forum where researchers, teachers, and doctors from universities, colleges, and research centres can interact and participate in research debates. It holds periodic meetings, and encourages publication of books and journals, research reports, newsletters, etc. It has an interdisciplinary approach and its members'expertise range from geography, environment, sociology, economics, education, medicine, anthropology,gender and women's studies and related disciplines. In addition to academic activities, the institution also assists in organizing awareness camps for the improvement of environment and quality of life in the region.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

  • Dr Rais Akhtar, President
  • Dr.(Mrs) Nilofar Izhar, Secretary, and Editor of the Journal of Region, Health and Health Care.

Autonomous University of Barcelona (UoBar), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Spain

The researchers participatin in GOBACIT are members of the Ecological Economics Group. This group started its activities in the early 1990s. In 1987, Martinez-Alier published his book Ecological Economics: Energy, Environment and Society (Blackwell, Oxford). In 1994, Giuseppe Munda (with a doctorate from the Free University of Amsterdam on environmental applications of multicriteria evaluation) joined the UAB. Since 1997, the group’s activities were extended to postgraduate teaching through a Programme in Ecological Economics and Environmental Management in the framework of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences at UAB. Members of the group publish their work in journals such as Ecological Economics, Environmental Values, Energy Policy, Environment and Planning, European Journal of Operational Research.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Catalonian Hospitals Consortium (CHC), Research and Development Unit Barcelona, Spain

The Consorci Hospitalari de Catalunya (CHC), is a public consortium that groups health providers of the Catalonian health system. It has contributed to the renewal and modernisation of the National Health System in Catalonia. CHC has promoted decentralisation of physical and financial resources by increasing autonomy and co-responsibility in management and has created several enterprises that provide services to its associates as well as at the national and international levels. Its Health Policy Studies Unit (Servei d’Estudis i Prospectives en Polítiques de Salut) is devoted to public health and health systems research in the areas of health policy and health management. It has had scientific collaboration links with the University of el Rosario in Colombia since 1999, with the University of Pernambuco in Brazil since 2000, with the Institute for Health Sector Development since 1998 and with the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco since 1998.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Politechnic School, Brazil

The UFBA’s Politechnic School was created in 1897, 49 years before the university, and was one of the first of its kind in Brazil. It has a long-standing history dedicated to the advancement of technology, culture and development in the country, and has specialist programmes in electric, mechanical, chemical and environmental engineering.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), School of Administration, Interdisciplinary Centre for Social Development and Management (CIAGS), Brazil

CIAGS provides a space for the articulation of theoretical and practical knowledge, promoting the interaction between the activities of teaching, research, and management and brings together actors from the academic, public and private sectors.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), School of Engineering, Brazil

The School develops teaching and research activities in the fields of sanitary and environmental engineering. It offers undergraduate courses and supports a Post graduate Program in Sanitation, Environment, and Water Resources, comprising master and doctoral degrees. This graduate program is offered jointly with the Department of Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering (EHR). The Master course in Sanitary Engineering was first created in 1972, and its name was changed in 1992 to Environment and Sanitation, reflecting the expanding interest of the School in environmental issues beyond the more restricted field of engineering. In 1996, the course was again renamed as Sanitation, Environment and Water Resources to incorporate the fields of hydraulics and Water Resources. The doctoral degree was strated in 2000.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Department of Social Sciences (DCSo), Brazil

The Department of Social Sciences at Sao Carlos offers graduate and postgraduate courses in Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology. The Department publishes the journal Teoria & Pesquisa, which offers an excellent vehicle for the diffusion of research work and has four main research areas, all of which are relevant for this proposal: a) Symbolic Production and Culture, b) Social Organization, c) Technology, Development and Environment, and d) Institutions and Political Behavior. Within this context, the area of Technology, Development and Environment houses a significant number of projects oriented at regional and environmental studies. Among other activities, this area created the Disasters Studies and Social Research Laboratory (NEPED). In the Brazilian context of increasing torrential rains, floods and similar events with significant damage to structures and fatalities, the Laboratory promotes sociological research focusing on the political and social aspects of water-realted disasters. The activities of the NEPED have included the training of students at the graduate and postgraduate levels and interdisciplinary research on disaster management. The Laboratory disseminates its research results to decision-makers, including National Civil Defense authorities, and is supported by a number of funding bodies including the Institute of American Exchanges and Culture (IICA) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), among others. The NEPED also collaborates with a number of international institutions, including the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas University A & M.

Principal researcher involved in this network:

French Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (ENGREF) Paris, France

Principal researchers involved in this network:

The Higher University of San Simón (UMSS), Centre for Higher University Studies (CESU), Cochabamba, Bolivia.

The Higher University of San Simón (UMSS) was founded in 1832 and is the second largest of Bolivia. It is located in Cochabamba, the capital city of the central province which bears the same name and which is economically one of the three most important provinces of Bolivia. The UMSS is one of the ten public universities of Bolivia which together make up the National University System (SUN). Academically, the UMSS is organized in nine faculties and two Higher Technical Institutes which together offer about 65 study programmes at the level of 'licenciatura' and 11 at the Superior Technical level. There is also a Polytechnic Institute, which trains students as mid-level technicians. The UMSS has also 12 postgraduate courses, 9 of which are in health sciences, 2 in social sciences and 1 in education. The student population at the UMSS totals about 40,000, attended by 1125 lecturers (of which 221 have a master's or doctorate degree) and some 950 administrative workers.

The Centre for Higher University Studies (CESU) is a multidisciplinary postgraduate institution with expertise in Economics, Social and Political Sciences and Humanities. CESU has close links with NGOs, government institutions, and internacional universities, and its main objective is the organization of academic and technical training programmes (Specialisation, Master and Doctorate levels) and research.

The UMSS has also a Water Resources Centre, created in 1985 jointly with the Catholic University of Louvaine, Belgium, a Laboratory for Water and Environmental anitation, a Centre for Limnology and Aquatic Resources, a Centre for Biodiversity, and a Centre for Environment and Renewable Resources.

Principal researchers involved in this network:


Institute for Technological Research (IPT), State Government of São Paulo, Brazil

The Institute was created over 100 years ago. It operates in an 87,000 sq. m area within the campus of the University of São Paulo (USP); around 1,500 people, including 450 researchers, currently work at IPT. Over the years, the Institute has made a major contribution to Brazilian public policy and to the national productive sector, and has assembled a research team with expertise in a diversity of technological areas. IPT carries out its mission by performing basically in three major areas: innovation, research and development; technological services; and development and metrology support. Other significant IPT activities are related to the dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge. Concerning work relevant for this research network, the IPT has provided continued support to the State of São Paulo, and to the Brazilian Water Resources Management Systems in general, in a partneship that includes government bodies at all levels, community organizations and the productive sector. IPT support to the water resources sector includes the development of technologies for environmental sanitation, mainly public water and sanitation services, and the design of management tools for the establishment of participatory river basin directive bodies. Presently IPT is involved in the development of a national system for the acquisition on water resources data.

The IPT also provides short-term courses on specific subjects and graduate courses leading to Master Degrees. All the courses are given by IPT researchers, including:

  • Master in Environmental Technology
  • Master in Housing
  • Master in Computational Engineering
  • Master in Industrial Processes

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) – Mexico

The Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) is an international institution created with the mandate to promote teaching and research in the social sciences focusing on the development, integration and specific problems affecting Latin American countries. FLACSO was created in 1957 during the Latin American Conference on Social Sciences held in Rio de Janeiro with the support of UNESCO and the participation of the Member States. The original office was created in Santiago de Chile, but the 1973 military cup interrupted the activities, especially the postgraduate courses in Sociology and Political Science attended by students and professors from all over Latin America. This situation prompted the decentralisation of the institution in 1974 with the purpose of ensuring its permanence as an international body, which resulted in the creation of several academic units in different countries of the region. Today, FLACSO has units in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic and Surinam. The General Secretary is located in San Jose de Costa Rica.

FLACSO maintains an intensive collaborative activity with national, regional and international institutions through its teaching, research, consultancy and advisory activities. Among other institutions relevant for this project, FLACSO collaborates very closely with: Interamerican Development Bank (IDB); World Bank; UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Deustches Jugendinstitut (DJI); Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD); Joint Research Centre, Comission of the European Communities; OREALC/UNESCO; UNICEF; Organization of American States (OAS); Organization of Iberoamerican States (OEI); UN Development Programme (UNDP); Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); Economic System of Latin America (SELA). FLACSO Mexico.

In the context of increasing globalisation, FLACSO Mexico promotes interdisciplinary approaches in the social sciences based on the creation of international research networks and thematic research areas. There is an ongoing feedback between research and teaching activities at FLACSO, which offer different courses: MA in Population Studies, MA in Social Sciences, MA in Government, MA and PhD in Social Sciences, PhD in Social Science jointly with Georgetown University. Among the main thematic areas currently covered by research projects are: Population and Demography; Society, Culture and Innovation; Public Policy and Government.

Dr María Luisa Torregrossa Armentia has headed the research programme on ‘Water and society’ since 1988. The activities of the programme have included the training of students, collaborative interdisciplinary research, and consultancy work for the Mexican Water authorities (National Water Commission [CNA], Mexican Institute for Water Technology [IMTA]) and international organizations inclduing FAO – Mexico and the World Bank.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

Leibniz Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IRS) Erkner (near Berlin), Germany

The Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IRS) is a publicly funded research institute, belonging to the Leibniz Science Association, which specialises in urban and regional development. In interdisciplinary research teams the IRS analyses and assesses socio-economic, environmental and political developments and their management at a local, regional and international level. The IRS has a long-established track record of researching into, and advising stakeholders on, the governance of water resources and water infrastructure systems in cities and regions. Special fields of the IRS’ social science research on water are the spatial organisation of water resource management, relating to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, and institutional changes to systems of water supply and wastewater disposal. The IRS has considerable experience in disseminating its research results not only to the scientific community but also to decision-makers and other relevant actors at local and regional levels. The IRS has a staff of ca. 25 researchers and 30 non-research staff as well as considerable administrative and technical resources, including a specialist library, a high-performance DTP-system and a publicity unit. The IRS also houses a rich archive on urban design and planning in the GDR.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

National Association of Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (ASSEMAE), Brazil

ASSEMAE is a non-governmental organization created 19 years ago representing the Brazilian municipalities that are direct providers of water and sanitation services. This includes 1700 water and sanitation utilities and around 3500 entities in charge of solid waste and urban drainage. ASSEMAE’s Directive Board is formed mainly by public officials and, to a lesser degree, by workers and researchers in the field of water and sanitation. Since its inception, ASSEMAE has become one of the most important institutions in the area of water and sanitation services in Brazil. The institution has been very vocal at characterizing the grave problems facing the sector as being the result of the anachronic and authoritarian model of management inherited from the military dictatorship, which disregarded the needs of the population and especially those of the poorest sectors. In particular, ASSEMAE has been at the forefront in the critique of the long-standing inequalities of access to the services and in proposing practical solutions for tackling these inequalities and universalizing access. ASSEMAE has representatives in all the Brazilian regions, which provides a rich source of experience from a variety of contrasting geographical, demographic, political and socio-economic situations. It also has a wide membership with invaluable expertise in a range of models for municipal management and citizen participation in the provision of water and sanitation services. This will allow ASSEMAE to make an important contribution to this project by providing access to rich and long-standing experiences and relevant information sources, as well as an opportunity for experimenting with new practices and models for improving water and sanitation services.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Institute of Engineering (UNAM), National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico

The Institute of Engineering is one of the 22 Research Institutes of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Latin America’s largest university. More than 1000 researchers and students work at the Institute in different areas of engineering, including the area of Environmental Engineering that concentrates water research activities. The team directly involved in GOBACIT is the Water Treatment and Reuse Group (GTR), which has the objective of studying and developing solutions for: (a) the integrated management of water, (b) norms to control water pollution and quality, and (c) the treatment and reuse of water and biosolids. The GTR has been working for more than 12 years and during this time has produced several research papers, patents and technological projects. The GTR works for the government, private companies and research foundations and runs a Postgraduate Programme in Environmental Engineering that accepts students reading for Master and Doctoral degrees. All postgraduate students in our Postgraduate Programme are funded through scholarships or research grants. The Institute also welcomes applications for postdoctoral projects.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Institute of Geography (UNAM), National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico

The Institute of Geography was founded in June 1943 by a University Council decree. This Institution holds one of the best and highly specialized libraries in Latin America. The following are some of the main objectives of the Institute of Geography:

To organize, implement and make available to public both basic and applied scientific investigations, leading to gain knowledge of the territory and its natural social and economic resources., where a reference framework is based on the natural space and the various forms of organization of the physical and human elements making strong links of the Institute with the reality of the country and its problems as to contribute to the formulation and alternatives of solution to the identified problems.

To encourage the education of highly qualified professionals in scientific investigations as web as in human, technical and teaching dimensions in accord with areas of interest of the Institute

To participate with other institutions of UNAM as well with other, weather private or governmental, in developing joint projects for investigation in agreement with the internal policies of research and development of the Institute of UNAM.

To collaborate with other institutions of UNAM, as well as from those from Mexico and from other countries in course programmes in agreement with the policies of academic development of the Institute and UNAM.

To make the available the results of investigations carried out in geography through printing media , lectures, and other pertinent and complementary actions.

To exchange national and foreign researcher in the fields of activities of investigation and teaching of the Institute.

To participate in all of the academic activities that are incorporated in the Internal law of the University.

A Postgraduate Programme in Geography is one of the achievements of the Institute. The main objective of this programme is to develop geographers at a doctoral and master levels so that they may have a professional capability to achieve original investigations and teaching the current developments in Geography: There are three majors fields in the Postgraduate programme, one on Society and the Territory a second one on Environmental Geography and a third one is Land Planning.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Research Institute Gino Germani (IIGG), Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Buenos Aires (UBA-FCS), Argentina

The Research Institute Gino Germani (IIGG) at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FCS), University of Buenos Aires, is one of the largest social science research centres in the country. It was created on the basis of the well-established Institute of Sociology, originally launched in 1940, which became an international research centre thanks to the contribution of the Italian sociologist Gino Germani. Today, it houses academics from the five sub-faculties of the FCS, Sociology, Political Science, Communication, Labour Relations, and Social Work, and also a number of senior researchers from the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET). Work is organized in thematic areas and is carried out by interdisciplinary research teams with expertise in health, population, culture, politics, rural studies, urban studies, state reform, conflict and social change, labor and employment, gender issues, social stratification, public opinion, science and society, technological change, education, historical sociology, youth, epistemology and philosophy of social action. Among the Institute’s research teams with expertise relevant for this project is worth mentioning the following: Population, Health and Society, Conflict and Social Change, Urban Studies, Public Sector and State Reform, Science, Technology and Society.

A facet of the Institute’s activities which is highly relevant for this research project is that it has developed a co-operative working framework with a number of NGOs, government departments, municipalities, research centers, universities, and international organizations. In addition to this, the IIGG has already established research links with several user and community organizations which have been recently involved in mobilizations and negotiations around the provision of water and sanitation in Buenos Aires. This will favor the access to information, ensure the participation of stakeholders in the process, and provide an excellent vehicle for the dissemination of research results.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

National University of General Sarmiento (UNGS), Institute of the Conurbated Metropolitan Area Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Institute of the Conurbated Metropolitan Area (ICO) is a leading centre dedicated to research, teaching and community service provision both at the national level and in Latin America. It makes a valuable contribution to the construction of a “public sphere” in the region by promoting meetings between intellectuals, politicians, technical personnel and social agents to discuss urban issues and sustainable development processes. The ICO's research program focuses mainly on theoretical and socially relevant aspects of the “urban question”, and promotes a multidisciplinary approach to cover such issues as Social Policy, State, Government and Public Administration, Urban Economic Systems, Urban Ecology and Town Planning.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

National University of Tucuman (UNT), Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Historical Research (FFYL-IIH), Argentina

The Institute of Historical Research (IIH) at the Faculty of Philosophy (FFyL), University of Tucumán, is one of the largest History and social science Research centres in the Norwest of the country. It was created in 1960, which became an international Research centre thanks to the contribution of several historians and sociologist that teaches in Tucumán. Today, it houses sub-faculties of the FFyL, History, Philosophy, Literature, Psychology, Archaeology and also a number of senior researchers from the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET). Work is organised in thematic areas Social History, Economy, etc and is carried out by interdisciplinary Research teams with expertise in regional History, economic History, culture, politics, conflict and social change, gender issues, historical sociology, etc. Among the Institute's Research teams with expertise relevant for this project is worth mentioning the following: Cultural History, Social History, Economy, Conflict and Social Change, and Urban Studies. A facet of the Institute's activities which is highly relevant for this Research project is that it has developed a co-operative working framework with a number of NGOs, government departments, municipalities, Research centres, universities, and international organisations, some of which are also partners in this Research. In addition to this, the IIH has already established Research links with several user and community organisations which have been recently involved in mobilisations and negotiations around the provision of water and sanitation in Tucumán as ADEUCOT. This will favour the access to information, ensure the participation of stakeholders in the process, and provide an excellent vehicle for the dissemination of Research results in Northeastern Argentina.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

New Water Culture Foundation (FNCA), Spain

The New Water Culture Foundation is a scientific organisation constituted by academics from more than 70 Spanish and Portuguese Universities with interdisciplinary expertise in water science, ecology, social science, engineering, among other topics. One of the Foundation's main objectives is developing studies that promote the protection of a high ecological status in all water bodies according to the European Water Framework Directive (2000). Among other activities geared at achieving this objective, the Foundation organizes a biannual Congress on Water Management issues. It also has an Educational Environmental Program that promotes new ways for understanding the functioning of rivers, which works with children and adults through different activities. The members have an extensive range of publications and research activities, which can be accessed through the web site.

One of the Foundation's most recent initiatives was the elaboration of a European Declaration for a New Water Culture, which was discussed and signed by 100 European scientists and presented officially on 18 February 2005 in Madrid. Also, in 2006 the FNCA joined forces with other four non-profit European organizations dealing with issues related to the sustainable development of water resources: RIOU (Belgium), Stichting Reinwater (The Netherlands), European Rivers Network - ERN (FRance), and Gruppo 183 - Onlus (Italy), to form a new organization, the Aquanet European Foundation.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

 

Palestinian Hydrology Group for Water & Environmental Resources Development (PHG) Jerusalem and Ramallah, Palestine

The PHG is a Palestinian non government non profit organization striving to promote the role of women and civil society in managing local water and its related environmental resources to ensure transparency, good water governance and just and equal provision of water and sanitation services to the rural and marginal communities in the West Bank and Gaza. PHG is also striving to promote water research capacity and infrastructure in Palestine. PHG is seeking local and international networking and partnerships to participate actively in promoting the sustainability and just allocation of water resources at local, regional and global levels. The PHG has accomplished a number of research projects in the field of water resources and wastewater, particularly issues of quantity and quality. It has currently 2 laboratories for analysis in the cities of Hebron and Gaza. In addition, the PHG is currently involved in several regional research projects and/or co-ordination activities funded by European Commision under the INCO and MEDA programmes, focusing on issues of humidity passive harvest technologies, water saving in agriculture, desalination. integrated water resources management, and user participation.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology (IEEB), Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Finland

The Institute of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology at Tampere University of Technology offers multidiscipline education from traditional civil and environmental engineering to biotechnology.  Since the late 1970s the Institute has undertaken cooperation activities with African countries in the fields of education and research. More than 100 engineers from Africa have received their MSc education at the Institute, in addition to five doctoral degrees. Since 1984, the research programme ‘Capacity Development in Water Services (CADWES), Development of Sustainable Economic Infrastructure’, the Institute has carried out further research on water sector institutions and organizations, while also fostering international cooperation in the field. The research has concentrated on tackling the key factors of capacity building: (i) creating an enabling environment with an appropriate policy and legal framework, (ii) institutional development, including community participation, and (iii) human resources development and strengthening of managerial systems. Since the 1970s, these activities have been implemented in cooperation with African universities and, since the 1990s, the cooperation has been extended to include Baltic universities and research institutes.

Current research themes of the CADWES team include:

  • Water sector management
  • Water utility management
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Customer oriented water services
  • Long-term evolution and governance of water and environmental services

Principal researchers involved in the network:

Visiting researcher:

University of Cantabria, Department of Economics Santander, Spain

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), University of Greenwich (UoGRE), United Kingdom

PSIRU’s core work involves maintaining a database and website monitoring developments in privatisation worldwide in water, energy, waste management and healthcare. This empirical work forms the basis for further reports e.g. on water privatisation in different regions. PSIRU is also the lead coordinator of a major 3-year research project on decision-making on water in cities in Europe, Watertime (www.watertime.org). The project is funded by the European Commission funded under the 5th Framework Programme. PSIRU has just completed a 2-year international anti-corruption project for the international trade unions, funded by the Wallace Global Foundation. PSIRU’s reports and core database are funded by Public Services International (PSI), the global federation of trade unions representing workers in public services. PSIRU is recognised worldwide for its work on public services and privatisation, especially in the fields of water, energy, waste management and healthcare.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

 

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Division of Urban and Regional Studies, Department of Urban Planning and Environment, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Sweden.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

 

 

University of São Paulo, Post-Graduate Programme in Environmental Science (PROCAM) Sao Paulo, Brazil

The PROCAM-USP was founded in 1989 under the responsibility of the Post-Graduate Directorate to develop teaching and research activities at the Master, doctoral and postdoctoral in three areas of Environmental Policy and Interdisciplinary Research: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Common Resources Management. PROCAM places the emphasis on promoting interdisciplinarity, which has allowed the development of an integrated approach that brings together complementary fields of knowledge. In connection with this proposal, one of the key research areas of the Programme centers on the study of Water Governance from an interdisciplinary approach. The Water Governance Group coordinated by Prof. Pedro Roberto Jacobi is composed by senior and early-career researchers, as well as graduate students. The main focus of the Programme has been on watershed governance, water policy, and social participation in IWM in Brazil, emphasizing the interlinks between institutional, environmental, social, educational and territorial aspects. Among other issues our research has covered social capital, participation and collaborative management of water resources, integrated geo and biological water quality indicators, public health and water management, relations between water management and land use management in municipalities, and formulation of water management policies. Several members of the team have a track record of participation in internationally-funded research projects on water management and policy in Brazil, including the NEGOWAT project (2003- 2006- EC) and the Twin Basins- Brazil/Canada (2002-2008). Prof. Pedro R. Jacobi currently coordinates an Alfa Project (2005-2008) with the participation of 10 universities (6 Latin American and 3 European). The project, “Environmental Governance in Peri-urban Water Basin Management in Metropolitan Areas, social, environmental, territorial and institutional dynamics”, aims to make a contribution towards enhancing the interaction between governments, social organizations, and citizens in the decision-making processes involving water management.

Principal researchers involved in this network:

Development Research Institute (IVO), University of Tilburg (UoTil), The Netherlands

The IVO is the Development Research Institute of Tilburg University (UvT). IVO's mission is to carry out applied socio-economic research to contribute to poverty alleviation. The strong relationship between IVO and the UvT is reflected in joint research, its accommodation on the campus and the deans in its Board of Governors. IVO was established in 1963 in recognition of the social responsibility of a university. Poverty in the decolonising part of the world was seen as the most important social question of its time and in need of academic research. Unfortunately, this subject is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. The cornerstones of IVO's research are Global Commodity Chains and Development, Institutional Impact Analysis and Macro Accounting for Policy Analysis. In its research IVO attempts to address three basic issues: poverty, income distribution and globalisation. IVO has established geographic and strategic alliances with Partner organisations in developing countries. To strengthen its alliances and research capacity, IVO provides academic guidance and facilities to a number of international Ph.D. students.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

Dept of Geography & Regional Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Principal researchers involved in the network:

 

Water for Africa Research Programme, School of Oriental and African Studies, Development Studies Department, London, UK .

Principal researchers involved in the network: