IHP-IX 2.2. Promotion of transdisciplinary research and education by UNESCO Water Family to enhance participatory holistic practices.

Development and implementation of transdisciplinary research collaborations and educational approaches by UNESCO Water Family promoted to enhance participatory holistic practices. 1. Facilitation of collaboration between scientists and educators from various disciplines, through adoption of methodologies, use of existing or platforms and processes, and incorporating the diversity and inclusion of local contexts, all through participatory holistic practices, involving UNESCO Water Family, water centers of excellence, Pan African Virtual and E-University (PAVEU) and other partners. 2. Virtual thematic sessions for early-career researchers on participatory, transdisciplinary and holistic research collaboration, held by UNESCO Water Family members. 3. Collaborative scientific study examining gaps and opportunities in participatory, transdisciplinary and holistic research and education in water sciences, as necessity towards raising the consciousness of finite resources and tipping points. 4. Elaboration of formal, non-formal and informal education at all levels towards a better understanding of the importance of water for livelihoods and communities, through the mobilization of WAMU-NET and others, and implementation of Transformative Experience in informal science learning programs.

Contributing Action Number

CA2.9

Primary Entry Point

2: Engage better for countries

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Output(s)

Output 1.2: Action is inspired by compelling and unified UN system communications and messaging on water

Output 2.1: Expertise and resources are fully leveraged by the UN system to support countries, with emphasis on the water and sanitation needs of developing countries

Output 2.2: Diverse stakeholders and partnerships are mobilized by the UN system to support countries’ progress on water and sanitation

Output 4.3: Institutional and human resources capacity development support that responds to national needs and priorities is provided by the UN system, contributing to a skilled water and sanitation workforce

Output 4.4: Enabling environments for water and sanitation innovation are supported by the UN system, including policies, partnerships, and transfer of technology to remove barriers, with emphasis on technology transfer needs of developing countries

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

SDG target 6.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)

Implementation (e.g. direct support and service delivery, pilot or larger scale)

Capacity development and technical assistance

Convening of stakeholders

Policy advice and thought leadership

Geographical Scope

Global level

Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More Information

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384615

https://openlearning.unesco.org/

https://www.watermuseums.net/

Leading Entity

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.