Port Vila, Vanuatu, 8 November 2024 — The University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus hosted an impactful weeklong workshop from 4-8 November 2024, focused on water management and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) across the Pacific.
This significant event was organised in collaboration with the International Water Centre (IWC) at Griffith University and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney (ISF-UTS). Bringing together experts and stakeholders from across the region, the workshop served as a critical platform for knowledge exchange on WASH challenges and advancements in Pacific nations.
The event attracted participants from Pacific countries, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, as well as Vanuatu, representing a broad spectrum of sectors such as the Ministries of Health and Education and Training, Departments of Water Resources, UNELCO, Engineers Without Borders, and multiple NGOs active in the WASH sector.
The week offered stakeholders the opportunity to share knowledge, strategies, and insights that will inform WASH initiatives and policies within the region.
In his opening remarks, Dr Krishna Kumar Kotra, USP Science Programme Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the enduring research partnerships with IWC and ISF-UTS, emphasising the value of hosting international workshops at USP’s Emalus Campus.
“This workshop provides an unparalleled opportunity for our campus and regional stakeholders to explore new thematic areas within the WASH domain, especially through collaborative research presentations and focused group discussions,” Dr Kotra noted.
He highlighted the importance of such events in fostering continuous knowledge-sharing and collaboration across Pacific countries.
The week featured a series of immersive workshops led by WASH experts, including Dr Jeremy Kohlitz from ISF-UTS, who spearheaded sessions on climate change impacts, groundwater management, GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion), and the sustainable management of rural water services.
Dr Kohlitz guided participants through ISF-UTS’s extensive research, including the RECHARGE Vanuatu project and a Pacific-wide analysis of groundwater usage. These sessions enabled attendees to engage in participatory workshops, aimed at formulating actionable plans to enhance sustainable rural water services within the groundwater management context.
Simultaneously, Associate Professor Regina Souter and Dr Mark Love facilitated workshops focused on rural water management and WASH services in urban unplanned settlements.
Discussions covered vital issues, including the decentralisation of rural water management systems across represented countries, highlighting community-driven solutions and shared lessons.
Critical discussions on the challenges faced by residents in unplanned urban areas—such as water contamination risks and the vulnerability of WASH infrastructure to climate-related events—also underscored the workshop’s agenda.
A pivotal event took place on 7 November with a Pacific WASH knowledge exchange, supported by Australia’s Water for Women Fund. Ms Emily Fischer, Deputy High Commissioner from the Australian High Commission, officially opened the exchange, reiterating Australia’s commitment to advancing WASH initiatives and fostering collaborative knowledge-sharing efforts in the Pacific.
The workshop concluded with a field visit to Taloa on Nguna Island, providing participants with a firsthand view of a newly developed groundwater supply project, exemplifying sustainable WASH solutions in rural settings. This site visit highlighted the practical application of the strategies and discussions covered throughout the workshop.
The USP Emalus Campus WASH workshop exemplifies USP’s dedication to advancing water management and sustainable practices through regional collaboration, contributing to a healthier, more resilient Pacific
