Chair’s Objectives: To reinforce women’s capacities, notably through training, in the sustainable management of water resources, as well as a contribution to the protection of the environment and the improvement of rural populations living conditions and, in more general terms, to fulfill Millennium goals.

2006 Activities Summary:

.Participation in the UNESCO Chairs Meeting, Cannes, France, 27-30 June 2006 within the framework of the 8^th International Water Symposium.

·Founding member of the Network ‘Women, Science, Technology and Development’ set up on 21 July 2006 with two objectives: creation of a gender perspective science and technology research and training programme; and the training of women and adolescent girls in the sustainable management of resources (notably water) using a participative approach, within a scientific and technological framework.

·Organization on 7 September 2006 of an information and vulgarization day on the theme ‘Water, Education and Health’ aimed at the rural population of Dayet Ifrah for local development.

·Participation in the Scientific Committee of the Scientific Academy, Institut de France, Paris, 26-27 October 2006 on the WHEP programme (Women, Health, Education Programme).

2006 Moroccan Partners: University Al Akhawayn, National Office of Drinking Water, Moroccan League for Child Protection and the Ministry of Health.

Proposed 2007 Activities:

·Organization of a seminar: ‘Water; women, and decision-making’ for the MENA (Middle East and North African) region: in collaboration with the Moroccan UNESCO Chair ‘Water, women and decision-making’ and the German organization, InWEnt Capacity Building International. The seminar will take place in March 2007, Morocco.

Financing: 20000 Euro, InWEnt and 8500 Euros, Al Akhawyn University,

Partners: InWEnt, Al Akhawayn University, Moroccan National Office for Drinking Water, UNESCO, Third World Center for Water Management.

·Integrated  ‘Douar’ (nomad village) Development Project. A pilot project to reinforce local capacities in the Moyen Atlas region, Dayet Ifrah, (population 1000) with participative approach, including training activities to improve conditions for access to drinking water and counseling in the creation of revenue earning activities. Particular emphasis will be made on women’s contribution to local development.

Moroccan Partners: University Al Akhawayn, National Office of Drinking Water, Moroccan League for Child Protection and the Ministry of Health.

Chair: “Water, women and decision-making”

Created: April 2006

Country: Morocco

University: Al Akhawayn, Ifrane

Responsible for Chair: Dr. Asma El Kasmi
E-mail: chaireunesco@aui.ma