120 The Future of Water in African Cities
learning alliance with a basis in a professional organization could be instrumental in providing training and education for professionals and in supporting higher education institutions in changing their curricula. Several IUWM solutions, such as water efficiency measures and wastewater reuse, will need to be accepted by the general public to be effective. An IUWM Network–Learning Alliance could contribute information on water saving measures to primary schools and take other measures to garner popular support for IUWM solutions. The World Bank could initiate the process of building an IUWM Network–Learning Alliance for Africa. Three options have been considered. • Option 1: Expand the scope of an existing network in Africa to include an IUWM focus. The organizational memory and successes of an existing network could be harnessed to promote IUWM. A separate unit within an existing organization could be formed to focus on IUWM. Four existing networks that could host an IUWM Network–Learning Alliance have been considered: – African Water Association (AfWA). At present AfWA has limited capacity and no programmatic focus on IUWM. It can, however, play a supporting role in establishing linkages with leading utilities in Africa. Over time, an option could be for AfWA to develop a focused IUWM unit. – United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA). At present UCLGA has limited capacity and no programmatic focus on IUWM. It can, however, play a supporting role in establishing linkages with leading municipalities and local government associations in Africa. It is collaborating with AfWA and a greater role could be foreseen in the future. – International Water Association (IWA). IWA is a promoter of IUWM through its cities of the future initiative. With a large membership of water professionals and a range of partners, it has adequate capacity to take on the task to lead a network. IWA has recently established an office with permanent professional staff in Nairobi, Kenya, and is well placed to create an active network of African professionals around IUWM. – International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)— Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI is an association of more than 1,220 local government members who are committed to sustainable development. ICLEI already works closely with the World Bank on several urban initiatives and ICLEI Africa works with