RWSN Annual Report 2023

2023 marked the end of RWSN’s six-year strategy and the halfway point in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) period. For rural water supply as a basic service and human right, we can reflect on the broad progress that has been made around the world towards achieving universal access. But major gaps still exist and gains made are vulnerable to the main economic, political and environmental instabilities experienced worldwide.

RWSN has continued to grow and thrive over the last six years, and the COVID-19 pandemic re-emphasised the need and value of networks for connecting people to learn from each other and to collaborate. Although that crisis has passed, many ways of working, communicating and connecting have stuck. In 2023, RWSN’s webinars have continued to play a central role in how we share experiences from around the world, and our mentoring programme has continued to develop and grow. Feedback from our member survey gave encouraging feedback on how we help water professionals in their jobs and careers and this value of life-long learning has been put at the heart of our new 2024-2030 strategy.

What we achieve is only possible through the amazing collaboration and goodwill of our members, partners and funders. It has been a privilege to be the Chair of RWSN and while I am stepping down, I will still be on the RWSN Executive Committee for WaterAid. I am excited that we have new Executive Members and Theme Leaders for 2024 – a sign that RWSN is, and will continue to be, a vibrant and influential global network.

Bibliographical Information:

RWSN (2024)  RWSN Annual Report 2023.  , RWSN , Skat Foundation , St. Gallen, Switzerland

Executive Committee partners

Media

Taxonomy

• Rural Development
• Rural water