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YEP World Waternet Digital Meet-Up

22 September 2020

14 YEP’pers, Young Experts participating in the Young Expert Programme (YEP), are working within World Waternet projects in 7 countries across 3 continents. They are extremely valuable for the continuation of the projects and World Waternet’s ‘eyes and ears on the ground’. Especially now due to travel restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Communication between the YEP’pers and exchange of knowledge and experiences are important assets to further increase their impact during this global crisis. For that reason, on 31 August a digital meet-up was organised to get acquainted!

To kick off the meet-up, a video was shown with a short introduction of all the YEP’pers: Lena Kinyah (Kenya)Thierno Sissoko (Mali), Davis Wanangwe (Kenya), Hadi Toure (Mali), Cloy Anyango (Kenya), Stephen Tungu (Tanzania), Kevin Dipama (Burkina Faso), Pauline Nyamu (Kenya), Loay Altrash (Palestine) and Harma Luwinzo (Tanzania) 

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Time to get acquainted! 

During the first hour of the meeting, Frodo van Oostveen (CEO World Waternet) went into who’s who and the overall work of World Waternet, so that the YEP’ers have a clearer view of the staff that works from Amsterdam. Hereafter, the regional managers provided an overview of the projects under their wing.

Marieke van Nood gave insight into her projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, China, Indonesia and MyanmarKees van der Lugt explained about the projects he manages in Laos, Surinam, South Africa and the ‘knowledge partners’ in Berlin, Singapore, Paris, New York and Copenhagen. Koen Maathuis gave insight into his projects in Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana. Finally, Janette Worm introduced the project managed by her in Lebanon, Palestine, Tanzania and Jordan. 

All regional managers have ample experience collaborating with YEP’pers and indicated that they are crucial for the continuation of the projects, as they are ambitious and 100% dedicated to their work. YEP’pers are the linking pins between World Waternet and the local partners and fast communicators, which is especially valuable now that digital meetings are necessary to continue the work.   

Welcome to the world of online communication 

So how can the YEP’pers maximize the potential of building an international network during their 2-year YEP period, which will be valuable for the rest of their career? The second hour went into how to stay connected with one another – both now during this pandemic, and in the future. The YEP’pers discussed a number of topics. First of all, who works from home and who still goes to the office, and the quality of the online meeting tools that are provided. Also, the YEP’pers talked about whether online meetings provide benefits or challenges.  

 

 Before the pandemic we didn’t even had the means for online communication, but now we do and know how to use them. We can certainly continue working this way after the pandemic.’ 

 

The majority agreed they provide both. Online meetings are complicated at times due to poor internet connections, technical problems, and because people tend to feel too shy to speak. Online meetings can never fully replace physical meetings that allow for real contact and are considered more inspiring. But online meetings are a valuable addition and can maybe even reduce the number of missions, when travel restrictions are no longer in place. As Kevin Dipama from Burkina Faso pointed out: “Before the pandemic we didn’t even had the means, but now we do and know how to use them. We can certainly continue working this way after the pandemic.”  

 

Stay connected after YEP 

The group also discussed how to stay in touch after the 2-year YEP period and stay involved with World Waternet. The group agreed they would like to stay up-to-date with the developments of the project they have been working on. Also, they would still like to benefit from capacity building by World Waternet and Waternet. The task now lies ahead to develop a platform to stay in contact, share articles, knowledge, ideas and innovations, as well as job opportunities.  

The first YEP meet-up was a great successThe next YEP meet-up is already under construction, stay tuned!