Pacific knowledge exchange strengthens regional WASH collaboration

The Pacific WASH Day took place in November 2024 at the USP Emalus campus, Vanuatu (Mark Love)

Leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Pacific gathered in Port Vila for the Pacific Knowledge and Learning Exchange, a five-day event aimed at addressing critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges. Hosted by the University of the South Pacific (USP-Vanuatu) and the International WaterCentre (IWC), Griffith University, and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS/ISF), the event was attended by Pacific Island researchers from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and University of Papua New Guinea (UNPG) and USP Fiji and Vanuatu.  The exchange event was funded by the Australian Government’s Water for Women Fund.

Held from 4–8 November at USP’s Emalus campus, the event brought together over 25 professionals from Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Discussions focused on decentralisation, climate-resilient WASH systems, and community-driven solutions, covering both urban and rural challenges.

Knowledge sharing and practical learning

Participants engaged in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and field visits, exchanging insights on WASH service delivery and governance. Key themes included:

• Decentralisation and in rural water service delivery
• Climate resilience in underserved urban settlements
• Water safety planning initiatives in Fiji and Vanuatu
• Community-led water management and local leadership.

The exchange provided a rare opportunity for direct engagement between government officials, NGOs, and local practitioners, strengthening regional networks. Success stories and lessons learned highlighted how different countries are adapting WASH programs to their unique contexts.

Hands-on learning: Field visits and workshops

A key feature of the event was field-based learning, where participants observed practical applications of climate-resilient WASH infrastructure. Site visits for the rural IWC team included:

• A solar groundwater pump system in Erakor village
• A rainwater harvesting system in Teouma village
• An ecological purification system in Epau village.

Workshops were interactive, including sessions on video storytelling in community water management and innovative governance models for rural WASH services. The ‘Water is Everyone’s Business’ initiative was showcased as an example of effective social engagement.

Strengthening partnerships for sustainable impact

Beyond knowledge exchange, the event reinforced long-term collaboration. “One person’s weakness can be another person’s strength,” noted a participant from Vanuatu, highlighting the value of regional cooperation. Face-to-face interactions proved vital in building trust between government representatives, researchers, and community leaders.

Participants left with a renewed commitment to capacity-building, research, and community involvement. “Meeting in person makes relationship-building so much easier,” said a Fijian participant, emphasising the importance of in-person collaboration.

Future directions for regional WASH collaboration

Looking ahead, participants called for:

• More hands-on workshops and capacity-building efforts.
• Greater involvement of young professionals and students.
• Follow-up mechanisms to sustain the momentum of the exchange.
• Integration of GIS tools for improved WASH planning.

By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Pacific Knowledge and Learning Exchange has laid a strong foundation for a more resilient and water-secure Pacific. The challenge now is translating these learnings into concrete actions that improve WASH outcomes across the region