Water educational institute IHE Delft is organizing the sixth edition of the symposium 'From Capacity Development to Implementation Science' on 27-29 May. The symposium will be held online because of the Corona outbreak.

The symposium calls attention to the strategic importance of knowledge and institutional capacity for policy, operational practice and education. 

Image
Poster IHE Delft conference on capacity building

New science for capacity development

Leaders in the water profession will explore what the future is likely to bring and how new developments in implementation science can help us to act by strengthening institutional capacity. 

By bringing together key stakeholders, the symposium aims to identify and improve upon the concepts, priorities, strategies and tools to develop institutional capacity and share knowledge at a global scale.

From policies to action

Though most countries now dispose of policies, laws and plans, their effective implementation remains the systemic challenge. Implementation science is commonly defined as the study of strategies and methods to promote the embedding into routine practice of interventions that have proven effective, with the aim of enhancing overall water security.

Capacity development extends beyond education and training, and strengthening skills, competencies, and attitudes of individuals. The capacity of water agencies and of the sector as a whole is more than the cumulative capacity of these organisations’ staff. 

Institutional architecture

Institutions and the sector benefit from a conducive institutional architecture, incentives and procedures that structure critical reflection, help acquire knowledge and strengthen learning.

As in previous years, the symposium will bring together scholars, decision-makers and practitioners to discuss the current and future role of capacity development and take a forward-looking and action-orientated approach.

The organisation of the conference is supported by the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Cap-Net/UNDP, the UN Habitat/Global Water Operator Partnership Alliance, research institute Deltares and South African water utility Rand Water.