From Rio to Reality: Who is Taking the Lead? Exploring Water Leadership

Abstract

In the slipstream of the Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012 that articulated The Future We Want, UNESCO-IHE has convened development practitioners, researchers, sector specialists, policy makers, and capacity development specialists to the 5th Delft Symposium on Water Sector Capacity Development on 29-31 May 2013 to examine who is taking the lead in developing capacity ‘from Rio to Reality.’ This paper maps some of the major challenges and choices to increase water security in the 21st century; outlines trends and relevant models in leadership development; and explores how leadership can be nurtured and catalysed through capacity development for individuals, organisations, and networked communities to deliver on our shared visions, especially in developing countries. The author argues to adopt modern approaches that will expand individual and collective leadership at all levels and combine cognitive competencies, including deep knowledge of integrated water resources management, with transformational individual development.

Publication

Wouter T. Lincklaen Arriëns Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines. 5th Delft Symposium on Water Sector Capacity Development Leadership Theme Paper – Discussion Draft 23 May 2013