Engaging education in NON CONVENTIONAL WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (NCWRM):

Why and how?

Iro Alampei, MSc

www.medies.net,

info@medies.net

WHY?

… Because just

like most “non

conventional”

concepts … the

ideas of

NCWRM are not

quite known to

the wider

public.

… Because even

when something is

“known”, it is not

necessarily deeply

understood

WHY?

I.e. how many people, besides water experts know what grey water

is and how it can be used?

… because non

Conventional

Water, its origins

and its USES may

entail a lot of

misconceptions

that are usually

strengthened by

the media, etc.

WHY?

… and as

misconceptions

about NCWRM

may relate to deep

rooted beliefs (i.e.

bias regarding

hygiene & safety)

that are hard to

shift (resistance to

change)

WHY?

Education (formal,

non formal, and

even informal) can

be an effective

diffusion tool for

innovative ideas.

Sadly, we tend to

forget this.

WHY?

Because learners,

once convinced

can be effective

multipliers of the

desired

“environmental

messages” to

their family and

friends

Education, is yet another tool

(facet) for sustainable

development that should work

in synergy together with

other governance tools

HOW ?

Education

Environment

Science &

Technology

Society

Economy

Institutions

sustainable development as a double

pyramid

Governance

It should support the educator to feel confident to

teach about these issues

Educational material &

teacher trainings

HOW ?

It should allow

and inspire

Ownership &

commitment

Quotes from

students’ answers

HOW ?

… first by being myself intact in what I have learnt today, and then by guiding the others.

(10 yrs old, Syros island)

I can “protect” water by…

… By not playing “water balloons”, or at least play less. (10 yrs old, Milos island)

OVERALL

Education in NCWRM should be a lifelong

process involving a bottom-up and

participatory approach that engages from

the very young ones to adults and elderly.

Continuity of efforts is of great importance.