Writing and editing
Examples of recent writing/editing assignments
Improving irrigation water use efficiency: A synthesis of options to support capacity development
In this synthesis I have tried to unravel the myths which surround the term ‘water use efficiency’ and to provide an evidence-based foundation on which to build solutions to make real water savings while increasing food production and productivity. As with many complex problems there is no silver bullet. The answer lies not just with switching technologies, but also in making significant changes to the way we manage irrigation water. However, I have continued to use the term ‘water use efficiency’ because it is so engrained in people’s minds.
But I hope the reader will use the term wisely with an in-depth understanding of what it actually means in practice and so avoid falling into the simplicity trap.
The main aim of this synthesis is to support the much needed capacity, particularly in the Middle East, for improving water use efficiency in irrigation by providing the foundation from which others can produce a series of in-depth training manuals and programmes appropriate to different audiences and circumstances. It is aimed at professionals involved in irrigated agriculture: engineers, agronomists, land/soil managers, those who plan, design, and operate irrigation systems, and particularly those who provide education and training
for professionals, technicians, and farmers.
Author:Melvyn Kay
SDG6 Synthesis report on water and sanitation
Editor-in-Chief for this major report reviewing SDG 6 ‘water goal’ as part of the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) meeting in New York in July 2018. The report reviewed progress on 6 SDG targets and 11 indicators of progress across the entire water cycle. It involved coordinating and editing inputs from 8 United Nations agencies, 14 International Organisations and many individuals and as such the report itself was a major exercise in cooperation and integration – the essence of the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 synthesis report for water and sanitation
Technical editor Global Water Partnership (GWP Stockholm)
GWP promotes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as a means of achieving water security and works in niche areas often neglected by others. It uses its unique mix of leading inter-disciplinary specialists to produce a series of papers to present innnovative concepts and cutting-edge issues in water resources management to professional and political audiences who may not be water specialists but need to keep up to date on water management.
I work closely with the Technical Committee adding value to technical publications, writing/editing to tailor them for different GWP audiences, who may not be technical experts. Over a 3-year period I produced six papers in the Background Paper series including:
Increasing Water Security: the Key to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals No 22
Promoting Effective Water Management Cooperation among Riparian Nations No 21
Water security: Putting the concept in to Practice No 20
Focus papers on water management (GWP Stockholm)
GWP also produces a series of Focus Papers which harness partners’ experiences from the regions for the benefit of the whole network. This included a series of paper on experience in the regions in putting IWRM into practice.
As Technical Editor I edited and re-wrote material and sharpened up the text prepared by specialist authors, for a GWP audience whose first language may not be English:
IWRM in eastern and central Europe: IWRM versus EU Water Framework Directive, No. 8
China’s Water Resources Management Challenge: The ‘three red lines’, No. 6
IWRM in Central Asia: challenges of managing large transboundary rivers, No.5
Focus papers on water management (GWP Stockholm)
GWP also produces a series of Focus Papers which harness partners’ experiences from the regions for the benefit of the whole network. This included a series of paper on experience in the regions in putting IWRM into practice.
As Technical Editor I edited and re-wrote material and sharpened up the text prepared by specialist authors, for a GWP audience whose first language may not be English:
IWRM in eastern and central Europe: IWRM versus EU Water Framework Directive, No. 8
China’s Water Resources Management Challenge: The ‘three red lines’, No. 6
IWRM in Central Asia: challenges of managing large transboundary rivers, No.5
Characterising & managing drought
Technical editor for a major 2-year global review on drought including eight regional and country reviews in the Caribbean, Central Asia, China, India, Latin America, North Africa and the Near East, East Africa, and Southern Africa. Each study included the history of drought, meteorological characteristics, drought impacts, vulnerability, capacity to deal with drought including government policy and early warning systems, government and private practices to alleviate the effects of drought, and measures taken to build drought resilience. Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Rome
Drought in the Caribbean
This report is part of the major 2-year project and reviews drought characteristics and management in the Caribbean. It includes the history of drought, meteorological characteristics, drought impacts, vulnerability, capacity to deal with drought including government policy and early warning systems, government and private practices to alleviate the effects of drought, and measures being taken to build drought resilience.
Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Rome
Focus papers on water management (GWP Stockholm)
GWP also produces a series of Focus Papers which harness partners’ experiences from the regions for the benefit of the whole network. This included a series of paper on experience in the regions in putting IWRM into practice.
As Technical Editor I edited and re-wrote material and sharpened up the text prepared by specialist authors, for a GWP audience whose first language may not be English:
IWRM in eastern and central Europe: IWRM versus EU Water Framework Directive, No. 8
China’s Water Resources Management Challenge: The ‘three red lines’, No. 6
IWRM in Central Asia: challenges of managing large transboundary rivers, No.5
Focus papers on water management (GWP Stockholm)
GWP also produces a series of Focus Papers which harness partners’ experiences from the regions for the benefit of the whole network. This included a series of paper on experience in the regions in putting IWRM into practice.
As Technical Editor I edited and re-wrote material and sharpened up the text prepared by specialist authors, for a GWP audience whose first language may not be English:
IWRM in eastern and central Europe: IWRM versus EU Water Framework Directive, No. 8
China’s Water Resources Management Challenge: The ‘three red lines’, No. 6
IWRM in Central Asia: challenges of managing large transboundary rivers, No.5