International

CIWEM’s global membership base covers nearly 100 countries. We have well-established, active branches in Bulgaria, Hong Kong and the Republic of Ireland. In addition, many of CIWEM’s UK members work on environmental projects throughout the world, often with international agencies such as the United Nation – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  and UNESCO World Health Organisation (WHO) and other multi-lateral bodies.

Our international work is underpinned by our role as expert advisor, sometime partner and ‘critical friend’ to the UK Government, including input to UK Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)  policy development and representation on a number of the Defra stakeholder groups. 

In Europe, CIWEM plays a major role in the European Water Association (EWA) – the European body representing professional water associations from 25 countries – and, as lead on the EWA European Affairs Committee, CIWEM is fully involved in the development of EC policy with direct links into DG Environment.

Supporting professionals throughout the former Eastern European countries as they strive to meet standards set in the EU Directives for high class water and environmental management, is a key goal for CIWEM. Our commitment to this is reflected by in our active presence in Central Europe, and in particular, the branch in Bulgaria, established in 2005.

Beyond Europe CIWEM has working arrangements with associations in Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, as well as with the Water Environment Federation (WEF)  in the US. To reflect the growing interest of Chinese professionals in the Institution’s activities, Damien Ku, of our Hong Kong branch, was appointed as International Vice President of the Asia Region and CIWEM Hong Kong is developing a number of initiatives that build on this appointment.

Globally, CIWEM is an active member of the International Water Association (IWA) (UK) committee.  In addition, the organisation has a close relationship with the Stockholm International Water Institute, managing the UK entries for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.

CIWEM is working with the British Council and a number of UK Universities to ensure that our highly-valued Diploma, CPD and structured training programmes are available to overseas professionals.

CIWEM is also building strategic partnerships with global engineering and humanitarian relief organizations including:

•  RedR the NGO that provides recruitment, training and support services for humanitarian professionals across the world;
•  WaterAid the international NGO dedicated to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people.

WaterAid's online Fundraising Toolkit contains useful advice on choosing and organising an event to raise funds for WaterAid. Click here to read a flyer about the toolkit.

CIWEM is also a lead partner in:

• Partners for Water and Sanitation (PAWS) a Defra-sponsored initiative bringing together Government, private sector and civil society to transfer knowledge and skills to African communities to improve their water and sanitation programmes;
                                       
• Partners for Environmental Cooperation in Europe (PECE) involves UK-based organisations from the public and private sectors and civil society to support countries from the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia region in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.  12 countries form the focus of the initiative: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan; 
                               
  
• CIWEM is part of UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I) Water Network and UKT&I’s Capability Statement plus the Water and Wastewater Group, a body that advises Government on water industry issues internationally.
• Links have been established between CIWEM and the UK Trade & Investment’s Environmental Industry Sector Unit (EISU), which supports the UK Environmental Sector and promotes the UK’s Environment Technology expertise. CIWEM members have the opportunity to become involved as speakers at EISU seminars, hosted in other countries, focussing on a wide range of issues.

For more information on CIWEM’s international programme and involvement, contact Paul Horton, CIWEM’s Director of International Development.