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nternational

ooperation

ater

ciences

and

esearch

requires interdisciplinary action and international coop-

eration is a driving force behind the association.

IWRA has developed geographical committees to

further implement its mission and focus its activities.

These committees allow for extensive regional network-

ing among IWRA members.

Exchange of knowledge through publications

While promoting cooperation among its members and

with other organizations, IWRA seeks to facilitate knowl-

edge generation and exchange among its members and

the wider public through several publishing activities.

IWRA’s peer-reviewed journal,

Water International

(WI), places a specific emphasis on linking knowledge

to policy. Regular series of special issues are published

in partnership with other major international organi-

zations. For example, the March 2013 special issue

focused on the relevance of the 1997 United Nations

Water Convention in the twenty-first century and was

published in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund

and the International Hydrological Programme (IHP)

Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy Centre

for Water Law, Policy and Science, under the auspices of

the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO) at the University of Dundee. WI

offers an accessible platform for publication and dissemi-

nation to various organizations such IWMI. Furthermore

it represents a high-level publication, being published by

a well-known editor and enjoying a wide readership. In

2012 WI achieved the top position, in terms of impact

factor, for water journals related to water policy.

The

IWRA Update

newsletters compile and share

information from all IWRA members. Along with tools

such as the experts database offered for IWRA members,

the newsletter ensures this exchange of information.

In addition, books are often published in partnership

with other international water organizations such as the

International Water Management Institute (IWMI). In

these various forms, IWRA is contributing to building

cooperation on knowledge and research on a political,

scientific and a wider public level.

Cooperation by encouraging membership

IWRA manages the Toyoko and Hiroshi Hori

Education Fund which provides support for member-

ship of the association for promising scholars from

developing economies, especially those designated

by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and

Development (OECD) as least developed. Recipients

must have a clear financial need, and come from coun-

tries or regions that are OECD least developed areas

as well as being areas significantly underrepresented in

IWRA membership. The grants include full membership

of IWRA, which covers subscription to WI and access

to all the other advantages IWRA offers its members.

The grants are a means at an individual scale to transfer

knowledge to experts who show potential to develop

activities in their country and region, and to create a

network of water experts.

The principal objectives of IWRA, as defined by its constitution

and bylaws, are to:

• lead and influence water policy and governance

• develop and publicize methodological tools for assessment,

improvement and conjunctive use of water

• advance water resources planning, management, development,

technology, research and education at international, regional and

national levels

• provide a multidisciplinary forum to address and discuss water issues

• generate, synthesize and disseminate knowledge and information

in the area of water and related resources and the environment

• encourage, promote and participate in international, regional,

national and local programmes and activities related to water

resources for the common benefit of humankind and the biosphere.

As mentioned in its first objective, IWRA aims to act in the field

of water policy, and it seeks to continually advance water resource

decision-making by improving the collective understanding of the

physical, ecological, chemical, institutional, social and economic

aspects of water. IWRA’s objective of playing a role in water policy

is closely linked with the necessity to develop knowledge and under-

standing of water resources, which implies developing the scientific

aspects of water resources including economics, sociology and law.

To achieve its goals, the actions of IWRA are oriented towards

improving exchanges of information and expertise among its own

members and the wider public, and networking with other organi-

zations to advance and develop common objectives. For instance,

in preparation of its 14th World Water Congress (WWC), IWRA

developed a strong partnership with the International Association

for Water Law, strengthening the themes and the sessions related to

legal and governance aspects.

Furthermore, IWRA actively promotes the exchange of knowledge

and experiences across countries and regions. The critical importance

of locally-based knowledge and experience is strongly emphasized

in its information exchange activities. The belief that sustainability

The World Water Congress provides a forum for global knowledge-sharing

Image: IWRA/Soo