A large number of partners and contributors were behind this massive open online course (MOOC) on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security.
Course partners
This MOOC was produced and financed by the Global Water Partnership (GWP)and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) IW:LEARN. GEF IW:LEARN is a global project that aims to strengthen transboundary water management. It is funded by GEF, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Environment, and executed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
During its fourth phase, GEF IW:LEARN implemented an activity to catalyze interactive online training courses in the form of MOOCs, focusing on key thematic areas where gaps needed to be addressed. The aim was to ensure an increase in skilled professionals involved in activities related to international waters in support of the GEF-7 Strategy. This MOOC on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security is the outcome of this activity and is delivered in strong partnership with GWP.
The modules are coordinated by the following partners: Global Water Partnership, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Northumbria University, Stockholm International Water Institute/UNESCO International Centre for Water Cooperation, and IHE Delft. Wuhan International Water Law Academy joined as a module coordinating partner starting September 2020.
Faculties and presenters
All lectures and case studies were contributed by experts around the world, who belong to the following institutions:
Global Water Partnership (GWP), United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), University of Oxford, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Uppsala University, Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, Ministry of Water and Sanitation for the Government of Senegal, MEF University, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), International Centre for Water Cooperation (ICWC), Environment and Water Diplomacy, European External Action Service, Scientific Information Center of Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia (SIC ICWC), Ministry of Water of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Energy and Water, Republic of Lebanon, Oregon State University, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Northumbria University, The World Bank, University of Strathclyde, SADC Groundwater Management Institute, Chicago Kent College of Law, Geneva Water Hub, Externado University Colombia, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, NUPS, Mekong River Commission (MRC), Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), East Carolina University, University College Cork, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), Orange–Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) Secretariat, University of the Western Cape, Nile Basin Initiative, The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe, UNDP-GEF Kura II Project, UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), Global Water Partnership Mediterranean, UNECE Water Convention, Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS), Organization of American States (OAS), African Water Facility, GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network, Niger Basin Authority, Lake Victoria Basin Commission Secretariat, UNDP-GEF, UNDP GEF IWRM (GIRHT) PROJECT, Southern Waters, Water Matters
MOOC Production
The MOOC production team is based at GWP, and consists of staff, consultants, and interns from GWP’s transboundary water team. During the production period, the team members included: Yumiko Yasuda, Lauren Nicole Core, Erik Salminen, Ulrika Lundin Glans, Aigul Arynova, Kathia Havens, Tobias Bohne, and Sadiq Zafrullah.
The MOOC production team would like to thank all presenters, module coordinators, and partner organizations for their work to make every part of this MOOC the best possible experience for learners.
The MOOC production team would also like to express their appreciation for the support and guidance provided by GEF IW:LEARN, particularly Astrid Hillers, Mish Hamid, and Natalie Degger. Also, from the SDG academy, Meredith Storey, Florencia Librizzi, Shannon Kobran, and Neha Sharma.
GWP Communications team members played key roles, including Monika Ericson coordinating strategic communications; Eva Blässar with filming, editing, and social media outreach; Patricio Guillermo Roulier Pazos on social media images; James Wachira on the technology side; and support from Juliana Matteucci, Victoire Mialaud, and Steven Downey. GWP Communications team would like to thank the communications contacts from the partner institutions and individuals involved in this MOOC for their collaboration in promoting it.
The following individuals contributed to the production of this MOOC at various stages of its development, and the MOOC production team is grateful for their support: Joshua Newton, Shobha Kumar, and Anna Pierobon for reviewing all the materials for this MOOC and providing feedback; Marco del Rio and Gustavo Palermo for being the engine of MOOC video production; Winston Yu, Diane Guerrier, and Danka Thalmeinerova for providing feedback on different aspects of module development; Monika Weber-Fahr, Peter Repinski, and Catharina Sahlin-Tegnander for providing overall guidance and support at critical points in the development of the MOOC; Sara Oppenheimer and Julienne Roux for support for the French and Spanish case studies; Maria Cespedes and Blaze Horn for helping with transcriptions; David Jensen, Damian Indij, Ranu Sinha, Lusekelo Kibanda, and Tove Lexén for their input during the design phase; Kate Niblett and Alex James from Scriptoria for copy edit support; and Jesse Thomas (JESS3), Kyle Smart, and Mark Fuller for the graphic design.