Selected speakers
Dr.ir. Gábor L. Szántó
Coordinator of the Ghana WASH Window programme and senior advisor for international WASH initiatives at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, a department of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. He has over twenty years of experience in the water, wastewater and (organic) waste sectors. Since 2001, he has been involved in practice-oriented and academic research projects aiming at the development of emission-poor, economically sustainable waste treatment processes.
How are local and national governments making change? Explore how governments are leading change in water, sanitation and hygiene systems, the role of partners and civil society in change and the potential of information as a driving force.
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Government engagement works differently in different contexts. We will ground insights in local realities and provide examples across regions - Latin America, Africa and Asia, of engagement with government and other stakeholders with a goal of achieving SDG 6.
DAY 1: TUESDAY 2 MAY
Together stronger – all systems are connected
We open with our symposium’s purpose. Experts, changemakers and decision-makers assemble to explore how connecting across boundaries and promoting systems leadership can help us achieve social justice and improved national systems.
W4.1 Strengthening WASH systems - approaches, successes, and lessons learned
Time: 11:30
Location: Antarctica, World Forum
WASH systems are complex but strengthening them through system-level engagement will result in an equitable and more sustainable acceleration towards SDG 6. The session will provide insights from enabling environment programming, ranging from “all-system” to targeted approaches working on specific building blocks like human resources, capacity development, institutional arrangements, and monitoring and evaluation.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Nicole Klaesener-Metzner, UNICEF ROSA
Carolien van der Voorden, USAID WASHPaLS 2 Project
Abilio Cuamba, SNV, UKAID
Gezahegn Boru, Ruchika Shiva, IRC
Kate Harawa, Water For People
W4.2 An analysis of strengthening systems and enhancing collective action to achieve universal basic WASH services
Time: 13:45
Location: Central America, World Forum
System strengthening and achieving universal WASH access requires collaboration with partners and communities, a unique blend of demand and supply creation for intervention. Join us to learn from four World Vision International teams from the Southern Africa and Latin America Regions on how they are working to achieve universal coverage.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Channing Carney-Filmore, World Vision
Tupac Mejía, World Vision
Jessy Samuyachi, World Vision
Maybin Ng'ámbi, World Vision
Panganani Eric Njolomole, World Vision
Alice Muhimpundu, World Vision
W4.3 Young people, jobs and lifelong learning for WASH professionals
Time: 13:45
Location: Amazon, World Forum
Systems are only as strong as the people that run them. However, the WASH sector has massive capacity gaps. This lively session brings together WASH professionals, employers and training specialists to discuss the career pathways in WASH. Can the WASH sector take a more structured approach to professional development?
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Dr. Aline Saraiva-Okello
Sean Furey, Skat Foundation
Meleesa Naughton, RWSN/ Skat Foundation
Temple Oraeki, Network Of Water Rights Initiative
Kerstin Danert, Ask for Water GmbH
Eileen Dyer Jarnholt, Global Water Center
Maren Heuvels, SuSanA
Jeske Verhoeven, IRC
Alec Shannon, Agenda for Change
Christoph Lüthi, Eawag
Alison Parker, Cranfield / Water WISER Doctoral Center
Mary Wambugu, Cranfield / Water WISER Doctoral Center
Lesha Witmer, Women for Water Partnership
W4.4 Partnership with government and customer service for all
Time: 15:30
Location: Yangtze 2, World Forum
Engage in peer-to-peer discussions on government-led WASH processes, systems strengthening and customer service management. Learn from experts, share experiences, and gain insights into the value and techniques of engaging with users and government to build networks and collective action to advance sustainable WASH systems.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Marty Kearns, Netcentric Campaigns / Washdesk.org
Turea Wickham, World Vision
Ivan Palma, Water For People
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 3 MAY
Strengthening all systems – building resilience with water, sanitation and hygiene
Our systems journey continues as we explore and promote the role of resilient national water and sanitation systems, and the change agenda required to deliver them. Explore how water and sanitation can galvanise the development of wider public services.
W4.5 Data and monitoring: strengthening systems for achieving safely managed sanitation services
Time: 11:30
Location: Central America, World Forum
A granular and spatial understanding of populations lacking sanitation access is necessary to achieve universal sanitation. This session will specifically focus on ways to improve data on safely managed sanitation services and better use this data to facilitate targeted and effective actions.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Dr. Rachel Peletz, Aquaya Institute
Rick Johnston, World Health Organization (WHO)
W4.10 SDG 6.2 is only attainable with rights and dignity for sanitation workers
Time: 11:30
Location: Amazon, World Forum
Come brainstorm ideas to support sanitation workers! Every country needs a healthy, professional, and motivated sanitation workforce to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.2. Sanitation workers provide an essential public service and are a key piece in the systems needed to deliver safely managed sanitation services, but often do so at the cost of their dignity, health, and living conditions.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Andrés Hueso González, WaterAid
Mary James Gill, Center for Law & Justice
Sanya Anthony Mwara, Shinyanga Municipal Council
Kelebogile Khunou, Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI)
Khumbulani Maphosa, Matabeleland Institute For Human Rights
W4.6 Rights, inclusion and regulation for system strengthening
Time: 13:45
Location: Yangtze 2, World Forum
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals demands a strong focus on gender equality, disability, social inclusion and rights to ensure better outcomes for all. Using practical examples, this session will challenge participants to consider how, beyond equitable service access, WASH systems can be transformative through changing social norms, decision-making power and rights-holder participation.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Fraser Goff, WaterAid
Kristie Urich, World Vision
Liza Rivera, Water For People
Nadira Khawaja, SNV
Bethany Caruso, Emory University
Morris Chidavaenzi, World Vision
Tupac Mejia, World Vision
Peter Karanja, World Vision / Vision Fund
W4.7 Experiences connecting WASH and IWRM through public-private partnerships
Time: 13:45
Location: Yangtze 1, World Forum
The Ghana WASH Window and the Sustainable Water Fund programmes share a decade-long experience in drinking water, sanitation, agro-water and IWRM service delivery. The other presenters will then discuss key features of public-private partnerships and connectivity issues on serving low-income households, small and medium-sized enterprises, and smallholders in developing regions.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Michiel Slotema, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Gábor Szántó, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Tika Meijer Y Bodisco Massink, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Floor Crispijn, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Ella Lammers, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Vida Duti, IRC
Diederik Verzill, PwC
W4.8 The integration debate
Time: 15:30
Location: King Willem Alexander, World Forum
“To integrate, or not to integrate”, is the question we hope to find answers to in this debate. Integration of basic WASH services and other closely connected sectors is a widely spoken concept. However, the verdict on integration remains unclear. Find out more at the debate.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Abishek Narayan, Eawag
Marisa Boller, Eawag
Angela Huston, IRC
Christoph Lüthi, Eawag
Antoinette Kome, SNV
Mulumba Jane Nabunnya, IRC
Darren Seywell, DAI
Eng. Joseph Oriono Eyatu, Ministry of Water and Environment, Directorate of Water Development, Uganda
DAY 3: THURSDAY 4 MAY
Taking action as systems leaders
We'll synthesise insights from the first two days, agree on actions and put you in the driving seat. With help from our Wisdom Council, you’ll take part in Action Assemblies and a final plenary to help define a post-event agenda while –hopefully – committing to your role in it.
W4.9 Consolidation of the thinking
Time: 8:30
Location: South America, World Forum
Come join the gallery walk as we synthesise the pertinent discussions from the 6 sessions.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Horacio Quembo, United Purpose
Gezahegn Boru, IRC
Betelhem Gebeyehu Hailegiorgis, IRC
Eileen Dyer Jarnholt, Global Water Center
Yvonne Lugali, Water For People
Mian Hameedullah, Welthungerhilfe
Alex Grumbley, SNV
Jessy Samuyachi, World Vision
Adam Torrey, The Water Project
Alison Parker, Cranfield / Water WISER Doctoral Center
Priyank Verma, CARE
Alok Kumar Majumder, Simavi
Katy Sill
Xanthe Polaine, Newcastle University
Manuela Sambo
Will Tillett, United Purpose
Helena Skember
Renjitha Maniyil Haridasan, Water WISER
