Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)

Americas

Guyana

• Caribbean water initiative (CARIWIN)
• Community Partnerships and Women's Studies

Community Partnerships and Women's Studies

Project purpose:
The project aimed to develop the capacity of women's studies specialists in Indonesia, the English-speaking Caribbean and Atlantic Canada to strengthen their community-based research and community development work.

Key results to date:
As a result of the project, the profile of women's studies has improved at each of the participating institutions. The ability of women's studies specialists in the participating institutions to work in their universities and communities has improved, as they have much more knowledge of the international situation for women and can convey this to their students. New materials were developed and are being used in women's studies curricula in all three regions; all materials have been translated into Indonesian. Participating faculty learned a great deal about interactive pedagogic approaches, and the curriculum materials developed by team members reflect a broader range of pedagogic strategies than were in use at the outset of the project. The project also provided new opportunities for participating faculty to become familiar with the people, interests, culture and needs of women's studies specialists in the three regions and to continue to strengthen their capacity to work together successfully.

Caribbean water initiative (CARIWIN)

Project purpose:
The purpose of the project is to refine the training and analytical capacity of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) as it pertains to the management of water resources. The Institute will train leaders capable of managing water resources in an economically productive, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable manner while meeting the needs of all stakeholders, particularly the most vulnerable.

Key results to date:
CARIWIN has strengthened the capacity of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) as a training and information centre. As a result, CIMH is emerging as a regional reference in IWRM. In particular, with respect to the Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN), the CIMH is now asserting leadership on matters of water related disasters including the monitoring and early warning of drought and flood conditions in the Caribbean basin. CARIWIN has also set a precedent in National Water Information Systems (NWIS) in Grenada, which allows IWRM principles to be implemented. In addition, a Post-graduate Certificate in Water Resources Management was developed with the University of Guyana as well an online Certificate in Integrated and Adaptive Water Resources Management, Planning and Governance, established at McGill University as a complement spin-off, independent from project funds. So far, 20 engineers obtained the post-graduate certificate and three Caribbean water managers received the online certification. In addition, the project trained 161 specialists (113M/48F) and 90 decision-makers (63M/27F) from the three partner countries in IWRM, who reported feeling more prepared to manage water resource in their countries. The project also purchased GIS software and computer hardware for the computer lab; 52 text books with titles related to IWRM, hydrology and the environmental aspects of water management; water quality monitoring equipment for the hydrology laboratory; and soil and water testing equipment for the hydrology laboratory. These upgrades are serving as teaching resources, contribute to the development of hydrological models and have enhanced the research infrastructure by providing a means of data collection which was previously unavailable.The Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network was launched and currently permits CIMH to provide new information products which support decision-making. The Grenada National Water Information System was developed and implemented in collaboration with CIMH - it has served as a catalyst to modernize data management at CIMH and is a model for the region. Synergies have been created between CIMH and six major regional stakeholders in water management including the GEF, FAO, CEHI, UWI, CDEMA and UNIFEM helping the institution emerge as a regional reference in IWRM. To date, 15 publications co-written by McGill and CIMH staff, 8 reports as well as 186 documents and presentations related to best practices in IWRM have been made available on the CARIWIN website. Project results and learning were disseminated regionally at the 7th Caribbean Islands Water Resources Congress; the 4th and 5th Caribbean Environmental Forums; the 2nd CARIWIN Senior Administrators Workshop; the 2010 CWWA Conference and the CARIWIN Regional Seminar.