HWB Mission Statement
Philosophy and Approach of HWB
Hydrogeologists Without Borders is an organization that recognizes the increasingly large dependence on groundwater in developing countries and, at the same time, the lack of hydrogeologic expertise in these countries. Developed countries, on the other hand, now have a wealth of hydrogeologic expertise and significant experience in many of the same groundwater issues that developing countries are now facing (e.g. groundwater supply development, groundwater pollution, watershed protection, groundwater legislation and institutional/organizational structures). Due to the lack of hydrogeologic expertise in developing countries the few hydrogeologic programs/projects that do exist are often dependent on foreign hydrogeologists who usually consult for the major donor organizations. HWB recognizes that northern hydrogeologic experience relates to the particular physiographic, cultural and political realities of the north. Developing-country solutions similarly require the application of hydrogeologic science but there is a strong need for local adaptation which is best done be local hydrogeologists.
HWB recognizes that developing countries have a need for short-term or immediate hydrogeologic assistance and, more importantly, the long-term building of hydrogeology education programs in developing countries. Global disasters such as Hurricane Mitch (Central America, 1998) and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami have required immediate hydrogeologic assistance to assess the impacts to existing groundwater supplies and quickly develop new groundwater supplies. International aid organizations who respond to these disasters need quick access to hydrogeologists who are willing to assist immediately. Although gains have been made, there remains a pressing need for developing potable water supplies (particularly in Africa) and expertise is required in water well construction, well-head protection and aquifer management. Long-term capacity-building of the professional hydrogeology community in developing countries is critical and the corner stone of the field of professional hydrogeology is the M.Sc. program which is considered the fundamental education required for properly trained hydrogeologists throughout the world. It is the M.Sc. trained hydrogeologists of North America and Europe that have led to the development of the hydrogeologic profession and the important benefits that profession has had to society. This was the vision of the late Dr. Robert Farvolden, an Albertan who, in the 1970’s, started-up the top hydrogeology graduate program in Canada at the University of Waterloo.
The hydrogeologic profession is relatively young and in the past 30 years has become recognized professionally and increasingly engaged in the needs of society. Like engineering and medicine, the field of hydrogeology has enormous social benefit and the desire to “make the world a better place” is a strong motivation for many hydrogeologists. It is that same motivation that is the driving force behind HWB.
Goals of HWB
Given the above philosophy and approach, the goals of Hydrogeologists Without Borders are as follows:
1) Provide immediate hydrogeologic assistance to developing countries that lack local hydrogeologic expertise. This will be accomplished by linking HWB’s professional hydrogeologists, groundwater technicians or specialists to developing country organizations (governments, communities, donor agencies, aid organizations) through HWB’s website and database of hydrogeologists. The database will be comprised of HWB members willing to volunteer their time assisting with projects or programs in developing countries. The database will include a summary of each hydrogeologists experience at home and overseas, particular hydrogeologic expertise, experience in developing countries and foreign languages. The database will be available for anyone to access on the HWB website.
2) Support the development and sustainability of hydrogeology capacity building in developing countries. This will be accomplished primarily through support to hydrogeology M.Sc. programs at universities in developing countries to provide the hydrogeologic expertise necessary to address the complex groundwater issues facing developing countries. HWB will also involve developed-country universities with graduate programs in hydrogeology and other international organizations with a similar mandate and help connect them to developing country universities. To date the only effort to establish hydrogeology M.Sc. programs in developing countries is the CARA Network (www.caragua.org) and HWB will not only support the CARA Network but also help replicate the CARA model in other parts of the world.
3) Partner with any organizations (Canadian, overseas or international) involved in hydrogeology programs or projects in developing countries. This will facilitate “north-south” and “south-south” linkages and help strengthen developing-country organizations involved in hydrogeology programs/projects.
4) Educate and make aware hydrogeologists and the general public about the importance of, and issues pertaining to, groundwater in developing countries. This will be accomplished initially through the compilation of relevant documents and information on the HWB website and then later through participation in other educational activities such as school programs and film production in partnership with other organizations.
5) Establish and maintain the financial and administrative systems necessary to support the operation of the HWB organization. Complete and maintain a functional web page to aid in internal and external communications, educational information dissemination, contact information, partnering opportunities, advertise our expertise to NGOs and other organizations, volunteer opportunities and hydrogeologist registration list. Obtain organizational status followed by NGO/charity organization status. Complete HWB bylaws and formalize administrative structure of organization. Find the administrative support for the establishment and maintenance of HWB programs and activities. Actively search for interim funding sources for administrative costs incurred.
