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Linking education , industry and regulation together Through our networks we know what regulations are necessary and effective . We have extensive experience in managing the demand side of water in drought-prone countries like Australia , and extensive experience in designing regulatory frameworks that work . We have between us all the best practice models in regulation , be it in product certification , standards and codes , and enforcement and monitoring . We know what good and effective regulation looks like .
We must continue and build upon our very successful collaborations with the bodies I have mentioned today , such as the WHO and other international bodies , but also with WorldSkills and other skills focused entities .
The WPC needs to expand our reach , broadening our membership base to include more countries , more regions , and more associations and communities .
Our current membership base of about 30 countries means we have representation in many parts of the globe , but there are many countries yet to join and in this coming term , a key objective of the WPC will be to increase memberships .
Concluding remarks The scale of the water scarcity challenge is immense . For millions , it is the difference between a prosperous future and an impoverished one . For hundreds of millions more , it is the difference between life and death .
I am confident though that as a collective , the WPC has within its reach all the ingredients necessary for the solutions to be realised ; we now need to bring them all together and channel our collective effort to where we know it is most needed .
As the new term of the WPC begins , it is an appropriate time to recommit to working with partner organisations , leveraging our existing networks and international policy architecture to find ways to bring education , industry and regulation together to progress in achieving better access to water and sanitation around the world .
I would challenge all here today to think about the part you can play in tangibly supporting this newly appointed WPC Board , so we can stand in Melbourne in three years ’ time , convinced that we have made a difference . PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za February 2017 Volume 22 I Number 12