Renewed agreements with UNESCO and the Dutch Government

A third and equally important agreement is the programmatic cooperation with the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) which gives funding to further build the international partnership for water education and research, and enables the institute to invest in strategic research lines.

Prior to concluding the agreements, the Institute undertook a series of reflective and forward-looking actions, which included a self-evaluation, the drafting of a strategy plan 2008 – 2013, and the development of a business plan for that same period. An external evaluation was commissioned by UNESCO and the Netherlands Ministry of Education, in conformity with procedures agreed upon five years ago, when IHE was established as a UNESCO Institute.

Emphasis will remain on ‘working in partnership’. The Institute is committed to be the hub of the Partnership for Water Education and will invest in scientific and capacity building networks worldwide. Support will be provided to a number of existing regional and national networks, and to a number of emerging south-south partnerships for water and environment related education and research. Cooperation will be intensified with key partners in the UN, amongst others through an active involvement in the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development.