Young Water Professionals Malawi Chapter Setting the pace in management of emerging WATER sector challenges Ephraim BANDA

STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENTATION Water Sector – Challenges and Emerging Issues YWP Malawi – Background Current activities of YWP – Malawi Chapter Conclusion

SECTOR CHALLENGES AND emerging issues SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG) Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; TARGETS Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all; Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations;

SECTOR CHALLENGES AND emerging issues CONT’D SDG TARGETS (GOAL 6) Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity; Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through trans boundary cooperation as appropriate;

SECTOR CHALLENGES AND emerging issues CONT’D WATER STRESS

SECTOR CHALLENGES AND emerging issues CONT’D Increasing Water demand (Domestic, Agriculture, Industrial etc.) against limited water resource. Inadequate sector financing. Infrastructure (Aged and or inadequate capacity). Low service coverage (Water and Sanitation). Human Resources - Skills (Focus on Hardware).

HOW DO WE MANAGE THE SITUATION? Innovations Water Demand Management Capacity and skills development Integrated Water Resources Management Adoption of technologies Abandon strategies that have not worked – change Engage the youth for sustainability of initiatives and programs

YWP MALAWI - BACKGROUND The International Water Association (IWA) introduced the Young Water Professionals (YWP) program in 2002. Aim is to fulfill the present and future needs of the water sector & for continuous development of an adequate workforce with technical and leadership skills. WASAMA organized the first ever Young Water Professionals Conference in Malawi on 9 September 2016 at BICC in Lilongwe.

YWP MALAWI – BACKGROUND CONT’D Over 150 delegates attended from all over Malawi. Delegates agreed to formally establish a grouping “Young Water Professionals Malawi Chapter”. An interim executive committee was instituted to spearhead the process. A Board to be appointed to provide policy guiadance. The Group is to operate under WASAMA and indirectly IWA.

YWP MALAWI – BACKGROUND CONT’D

YWP MALAWI – BACKGROUND CONT’D OBJECTIVES: Encourage young professionals to become actively involved in the water sector; To support and facilitate YWPs to play an active role in WASAMA and IWA activities, and in so doing to elevate the profile of these associations and the WASH sector in Malawi; Provide an environment where young professionals can meet, get information, and exchange ideas; Facilitate opportunities to learn and grow professionally by professional seminars, technical tours, and career development programs;

YWP MALAWI – BACKGROUND CONT’D OBJECTIVES: Encourage community involvement through volunteering and mentoring; MEMBERSHIP Any individual engaged by study, occupation and/or interests under the age of 35; Voluntarily registration with YWP-MW through filling of membership registration form; Payment of an annual membership fee (MK12,000);

CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF YWP – MALAWI CHAPTER Development of a Constitution to guide the operations of the group. Development of supporting framework including policy documents and code of conduct. Opening of a Bank Account. YWP - Malawi page on WASAMA website. Active Facebook Page Establishment of Regional and Institutional level Chapters (LWB Chapter in place).

CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF YWP – MALAWI CHAPTER CONT’D Conference – 28 April 2017. Schools WASH sensitization Program – 26 - 28 August 2017. Engage institutions on financing of research programs IWA Young Water Professionals Conference in Cape Town, South Africa (December 2017).

CONCLUSION YWP provides an opportunity for development of leaders in the sector. An avenue for sustainability of sector programs. The sector needs to support the initiative.

Thank You