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The observations in this paper draw on four years delivering training and development programs including induction programs, representational skills courses and assistance with procedural and administrative development. It explores the similarities and differences created by cultural and historic backgrounds and the challenges this creates for emerging democracies. It looks at the special needs of legislatures, past and future models of training, professional parliamentary development and mentoring in the South Pacific and Indonesia, engaging local expertise to enhance credibility and value, establishing long-term mentoring relationships and an evaluation of parliamentary strengthening programs delivered during the last decade.

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Water is vital to sustainability and liveability of cities and the peri-urban river systems play an important role in the supply of water for domestic use, agriculture, commerce, industry and the environment. It is therefore essential that periurban river systems are properly used and managed, especially under the pressure of urbanisation. Using the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system as an example, in this Chapter we discuss how management of the river system evolves under changing circumstances. We then examine the complexity of managing peri-urban river system and discuss a multitude of challenges and issues that have to be resolved to achieve sustainability of water resources in peri-urban landscapes. We also identify actions, engagement strategies and governance mechanisms that infl uence the outcomes of water resources management in a peri-urban context. Genuine engagement of community, government agencies and other stakeholders is an important vehicle to establish dialogue and achieve effective and long-term water resources planning at a regional scale. However, the engagement and programs for securing water futures in peri-urban landscapes is made more diffi cult due to a large number of stakeholders, agencies and interests involved and the changing roles of participants as government policy changes.

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