| Desertification
describes the process of degradation of natural resources
(water, soil, fauna, flora, and ecosystems) in arid
and semi-arid regions. Causes include ever-recurring
natural disasters and land use systems that are not
adjusted to ecosystems processes and functions. Desertification,
however, does not only make a direct impact on soil
fertility, water pollution and imbalances and loss
of biological diversity. It further exacerbates the
conflicts between people who are depending on the
sustainable use of natural resources.
The German Government has committed itself to actively
contribute to combating desertification. The UNCCD
(United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification)
Secretariat is located at Bonn and is supported by
the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ). One of the target regions for action is Central
Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan). InWEnt has been commissioned by the
BMZ to implement a programme for capacity building
in Central Asia to support the implementation of the
Subregional Action Programme (SRAP) for sustainable
land and water management to combat desertification
in Central Asia. Partner institutions in the region
are the UNCCD Focal Points, and, inter alia, ministries
for water resources, agriculture and forestry, natural
resources, environmental protection, NGOs and applied
research institutions involved in desertification
research, and sustainable water resources and land
management.
InWEnt aims to strengthen awareness of international
cooperation in different desertification problem areas
among the partner institutions. Methods and techniques
for integrated (cross-sector) and environmentally
sound resource management, exercised in practical
ways, contribute to improving cooperation for inter-state
desertification control and more efficient planning
and implementation of specific projects. Our training
approach will strengthen self-initiatives and innovations
to cope with increasingly complex development tasks
in order to counter traditionally rigid, centralistic
planning systems in Central Asia.
InWEnt: Capacity Building
International, Germany
InWEnt: Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung
is a governmental organisation, involved in international
personnel development, advanced professional training
and international policy dialogue. We play a major
role in the implementation of the international development
policy of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ). Globally, our practice-oriented
programmes target managers and professionals, as well
as decision-makers from business, politics, administration
and civil society. InWEnt was founded in October 2002
through a merger of the German Foundation for International
Development (DSE) and the Carl Duisberg Society (CDG).
Today, InWEnt builds on the experience of these two
organisations, gained during more than four decades
of international co-operation. InWEnt engages with
about 35,000 participants per year from Africa, Asia,
Latin America, North America, and Europe.
InWEnt Headquarters is located at Bonn with several
departments and specialised centres located in 13
Federal States. The Department Environment, Natural
Resources and Food addresses the following international
training and collaboration issues: |
The Department
implements annually nearly 300 projects and its 23
senior project managers guarantee professional competence.
One of the four working areas of the training centre
Leipzig-Zschortau is Rural Regional Development and
Nature Conservation, focusing on issues such as: Regional
planning and land use planning, Desertification control,
Management of protected area systems, Transboundary
natural resources management (transfrontier conservation
areas and transboundary river basin management) and
Water Dialogue for Water, Food and Environment.
We use a worldwide network of experts, trainers and
moderators to design and implement our dialogue and
training measures with a special emphasis on linking
practical experience with theoretical concepts and
research. Our programmes are jointly designed and
implemented with partner institutions in collaborating
countries, designing seminars and courses according
to their needs. The capacity building programmes consist
of a sequence of dialogue and training instruments
such as workshops, seminars, study tours and conferences
and training courses. Our modern adult learning methods
include promoting interactive and participatory learning
approaches using visualisation and moderation techniques.
Case studies from participants' own experiences provide
a link to the daily work environment.
Contact:
Dr Thomas Petermann,
Senior Programme Manager:
Regional Rural Development and Nature Conservation.
InWEnt Leipzig-Zschortau,
D-04509 Zschortau/Germany.
Leipziger Str. 15.
Tel. +49 (0) 34202 845202.
www.inwent.org
www.dse.de/zel/landinfo
E-mail: Thomas.petermann@inwent.org |