Global Water Partnership ToolBox - New Website Launched

The GWP ToolBox comprises an organized collection of case studies, reference documents, external web sites and other supporting materials in water resources management, which have been submitted by various contributors and have been peer reviewed. The GWP Toolbox is intended to be an information exchange – experiences shared help to develop the body of knowledge which can enable all those engaged in water issues to work together to build water security and sustainable water for all. GWP has developed the ToolBox as a free access source of knowledge.

The ToolBox allows water related professionals to discuss and analyze the various elements of the IWRM process, and facilitates the prioritization of actions aimed at improving water governance and management. It aims to facilitate those professionals and specialists engage with a broader community for the solution of (water related) problems.

How the ToolBox helps?
It is important to keep in mind that the IWRM is a process of change; a process which can start from small beginnings. There is no such thing as a perfect IWRM system and the search for perfection can lead to action atrophy. Policy makers should think in terms of gradual, incremental change; identify opportunities for reform as circumstances alter and use all windows of opportunity to nudge the reform process forward. A crisis may, for example, provide such a window of opportunity but it will be vital to ensure that the response to a crisis challenges rather than reinforces the status quo. For instance, after a major flood event it is easy to give in to demands for more investment in protection infrastructure, but a policy maker thinking in IWRM terms will want to ask whether there are alternatives such as improved land zoning. Clearly during the process of change sectoral developments will continue, but it is imperative to keep questioning whether such developments are compatible with IWRM and rigorously challenge those that are clearly incompatible.

Above excerpt from GWP Toolbox site