So, day 2 of the 3-day conference is over. We're sitting outside and talk about how everyone experienced today. Just for explanation: World Waternet is currently working on a project in which three Egyptian water companies, Beheira Water And Drainage Company (BWADC), Alexandria Water Company and Damietta Water And Wastewater Company, are learning how to cooperate. Until now, they were busy with their own business. Partly due to this project, the companies realize that they are not competitors of each other, but colleagues. That they often face the same problems, and that they can also learn from each other! They have been working together on a huge range of topics. The most important ones are: drinking water, and distribution, sanitation and sewerage, communications, personnel management, asset management and a quality system for laboratories.
The first the day was a day held in a chic hotel in Cairo. There were some 100 distinguished guests: all chair persons assisted by sector managers from all 24 Egyptian water companies, 8 employees of World Waternet, 3 people from subsidy provider VNG-International and of course the whole top of the national water company. After the opening session, including a LIVE connection with Gerard Rundberg, employees of the three companies gave presentations on what they have achieved together in the last six years. Sanne Hillegers showed the results of 12 years of benchmarking in the Netherlands (thank you Geurt). After the Paul Bonné's story on the organization of VEWIN, KWR, STOWA and RIWA, there was a panel discussion. Everyone was extremely positive about the work and the results that have been achieved. There was strong debate in Arabic about how this success can be disseminated to the whole of Egypt. There were so many compliments for us that they impossibly will fit in our suitcases.
Today and tomorrow are meant for real knowledge exchange between the employees of the companies. The number of 135 participants is overwhelming. Our great friend BWADC is the host of today and tomorrow. In five rooms of the training centre workshops took place throughout the day. By Dutch standards it may be was a bit hectic and chaotic, but due to good organization all topics were perfectly covered. Many subjects have been presented and discussed, and the whole day was loaded with networking. Everyone is very excited.
We thank all colleague-companies and will go home very happy!
Tilly Dijkstra, Loek Stam, Mark Companjen, Paul Bonné, Ramon Imamdi, Sanne Hillegers, Kees van der Drift, René van der Aa
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Field notes
Suitcases full of compliments
14.10.2010
So, day 2 of the 3-day conference is over. We're sitting outside and talk about how everyone experienced today. Just for explanation: World Waternet i...
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