The importance of partnerships and local leadership in achieving elements of SDG 6

The Australia-Africa Universities Network Forum was held on Monday 2 September at the University Club of Western Australia. The Forum topic was “Strengthening Australia Africa University Relationships”, and GWI Director Prof Greg Leslie gave a TEDx talk on ‘The importance of partnerships and local leadership in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6’.

Noting that Many features of water challenges facing African nations also occur in Australia, Prof Leslie’s presentation focused on a suite of local water projects in Uganda, Botswana and Kenya involving GWI and its partners—including the River Basin Ecosystem Management course on the Okavango Delta, transnational water management in Kenya and small farm irrigation in Uganda.

Prof Leslie said, “These experiences teach the importance of forming meaningful and lasting partnerships to deliver outcomes that support Sustainable Development Goal number six. Capacity for research and education at Australian and African universities can initiate and deliver new approaches for drinking water treatment, efficient irrigation and increased productivity while protecting the environment through effect water management. “

He said that the key for universities is to recognise the need to build partnerships and work with community leaders to make a contribution to achieving results at a meaningful scale. He thanked GWI partners the Love Mercy Foundation, Elephants Without Borders, the University of Eldoret, the PLuS Alliance and the Australian Government’s Australia Awards program for their support and valuable contributions.