Group Training for Peace: Hydrogeology and Groundwater Modelling for the Middle East

Within the framework the Middle East Peace Process, the Group Training Oman was organised as part of a series of training courses on water related issues to be implemented through the Multilateral Working Group on Water.

Specific Group training objectives:

• To provide opportunities for skills development;
• To address water related issues of crucial regional importance;
• To provide experts from the Region with an opportunity to share experiences; and
• To foster regional cooperation.

MUSCAT (Reuters), 31 March 1995: Oman is to host Israeli and Arab delegates for a course on water resources starting tomorrow, as part of the multilateral peace talks on Middle East water resources saying 20 trainees from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Israel, and Oman will take part in the 15-day training course in Muscat.

On request of the Government of the Netherlands, the course on Hydrogeology and Groundwater modelling was jointly organised by IHE Delft in collaboration with IWACO. The Group Training course was implemented through the collaboration of a number of experts from the region and the Netherlands, staff selected from universities, ministries, resource institutes, and consultancies. The course incorporated a number of learning tools, such as role plays, providing participants the with opportunity to:

• experience the importance of good institutional frameworks for regional cooperation;
• the importance of regional cooperation and communication between stakeholders;
• expose the interdependence between parties, the impacts each can have on the other; functioning
• experience the value of sharing data and information; how to deal with decision-making in uncertain conditions.

Preparatory Mission. Participating countries were visited by IWACO and IHE during a preparatory mission in January 1995. Interviews were conducted with possible course candidates, and reported to all authorities (Embassies, EU and the Netherlands Government) in participating countries.

Selection Participants from the Middle East. Experts from Egypt, Gaza-Westbank, Israel, Jordan, Oman and Yemen were selected as participants to the Group Training in Oman and The Netherlands.

Preparation of Course Material.

• 2 volumes of course material were prepared, consisting of introductions to regional hydrogeology (Oman) and groundwater modelling (The Netherlands). Advanced topics included modelling of hardrock areas, case studies, and role plays.
• Logistics were arranged for the participants' and guest lecturers' travel, insurance, etc. arrangements.

Course Implementation - Oman.

• Module I: organised in Oman. Included a programme of lectures, practical exercises and the preparation a computer application i.e. FLOWNET.
• Lecturers: selected from the region and briefed to be prepared to give a specific presentation and contribute to technical discussions with course participants.
• 2 fieldtrips: prepared for the participation of regional key-lecturers; the first was organised in the Oman mountain range south of Muscat - intended to focus on geological and groundwater aspects- and the second trip organised in the Batinah plan, one of the largest and most important agricultural areas of Oman (west of Muscat).

Course Implementation - The Netherlands.

• Modules II-IV: The Group Training course was organised in modular form, elaborating on specific issues of a modelling procedure. The lecturing and workshop programme was held at IHE Delft, to make use of computing facilities.
• Fieldtrips: Technical fieldtrips were organised to the Zuiderzeeworks and IJssellake polders, Amsterdam Waterworks, geological fieldtrip to Belgium and the Netherlands, and the Institute of Earth Sciences (Free University).

Outputs:

Group Training, Oman (April 1-15). The course began in Oman, with an introduction in hydrogeology, relations between geology and groundwater occurrence, and further stressed the importance of a detailed conceptualisation of the hydrogeological situation.

Group Training, The Netherlands (April 12-May 6). The second part of the training was held at IHE Delft, the Netherlands, covering groundwater modelling and mathematical selections, emphasising that the selection of a modelling technique largely depends on a hydrogeological situation, available data and specific study objectives.

Parallel Sessions, Exercises and Group Work. Modelling techniques for specific hydrogeological settings and study objectives were elaborated in two parallel sessions. Different packages were applied to both the exercises and case studies i.e. interactive group work, and in complimentary exercises.

Role Play and Case Studies. Participants concluded the training course with a role play, closure sessions and country presentations.

Fieldtrips. Group training included several fieldtrips dealing with general hydrogeology (Oman) and data collection for the modelling of groundwater flow in multi-qualifier systems (The Netherlands).

Staff Development. A total of 24 participants from Egypt, Gaza/Westbank, Israel, Jordan, Oman and Yemen successfully completed the Group Training, Oman; and 23 in the Group Training, The Netherlands.

Evaluation. Aside from technical discussions, participants noted their appreciation of the informal discussions that took place between stakeholders, as it was in the general spirit to discuss technical issues, future projects and cooperation in a very constructive setting. Since the start of the course, participants from the various countries cooperated as an enthusiastic and coherent team, eager to learn and exchange experiences in a relaxed atmosphere, especially between participants and lecturers from neighbouring countries.