Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis

Floris Boogaard; Charné  Theron; Craig  Tinashe; Johan Oost

Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis

Floris Boogaard (First author)
, Charné Theron (First author)
, Craig Tinashe
, Johan Oost

Climate Adaptation

Deltares
Wetskills Foundation

Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic

49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The study addresses the need for interdisciplinary, hands-on, community-engaged learning models to tackle climate-driven water challenges. Traditional education is often inadequate in equipping young water professionals with the necessary practical, interdisciplinary competencies required to address these complex issues through integrative, real-world experiences. Two international experiential learning platforms, the Wetskills Water Challenges and ClimateCafé, have emerged as valuable approaches to bridge this gap by engaging students and young professionals in direct community collaboration and evidencebased problem-solving. This study explores how these complementary programmes can be strategically integrated to improve climate resilience research, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote youth capacity development in the water sector.

Original language	English
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 23 Jul 2026
Event	Water Institute of South Africa 2026 Biennial Conference & Exhibition - Cape Town International Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa Duration: 22 Jul 2026 → 24 Jul 2026 https://www.wisaconference.co.za/

Conference

Conference	Water Institute of South Africa 2026 Biennial Conference & Exhibition
Abbreviated title	WISA 2026
Country/Territory	South Africa
City	Cape Town
Period	22/07/26 → 24/07/26
Internet address	https://www.wisaconference.co.za/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 04 Quality Education
SDG 06 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 09 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

water
challenges
climate control
engagement
learning models
experiential

Research Focus Areas Hanze University of Applied Sciences * (mandatory by Hanze)

No Hanze research focus area applicable

Research Focus Areas Research Centre or Centre of Expertise * (mandatory by Hanze)

Sustainability

Publinova themes

Nature and Agriculture
Education and Teaching

Access to Document

WISA Poster FinalFinal published version, 648 KB

Cite this

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title = "Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis",

abstract = "The study addresses the need for interdisciplinary, hands-on, community-engaged learning models to tackle climate-driven water challenges. Traditional education is often inadequate in equipping young water professionals with the necessary practical, interdisciplinary competencies required to address these complex issues through integrative, real-world experiences. Two international experiential learning platforms, the Wetskills Water Challenges and ClimateCaf{\'e}, have emerged as valuable approaches to bridge this gap by engaging students and young professionals in direct community collaboration and evidencebased problem-solving. This study explores how these complementary programmes can be strategically integrated to improve climate resilience research, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote youth capacity development in the water sector.",

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Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis. / Boogaard, Floris (First author); Theron, Charné (First author); Tinashe, Craig et al.
2026. Poster session presented at Water Institute of South Africa 2026 Biennial Conference & Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic

TY - CONF

T1 - Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis

AU - Boogaard, Floris

AU - Theron, Charné

AU - Tinashe, Craig

AU - Oost, Johan

PY - 2026/7/23

Y1 - 2026/7/23

N2 - The study addresses the need for interdisciplinary, hands-on, community-engaged learning models to tackle climate-driven water challenges. Traditional education is often inadequate in equipping young water professionals with the necessary practical, interdisciplinary competencies required to address these complex issues through integrative, real-world experiences. Two international experiential learning platforms, the Wetskills Water Challenges and ClimateCafé, have emerged as valuable approaches to bridge this gap by engaging students and young professionals in direct community collaboration and evidencebased problem-solving. This study explores how these complementary programmes can be strategically integrated to improve climate resilience research, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote youth capacity development in the water sector.

AB - The study addresses the need for interdisciplinary, hands-on, community-engaged learning models to tackle climate-driven water challenges. Traditional education is often inadequate in equipping young water professionals with the necessary practical, interdisciplinary competencies required to address these complex issues through integrative, real-world experiences. Two international experiential learning platforms, the Wetskills Water Challenges and ClimateCafé, have emerged as valuable approaches to bridge this gap by engaging students and young professionals in direct community collaboration and evidencebased problem-solving. This study explores how these complementary programmes can be strategically integrated to improve climate resilience research, enhance stakeholder engagement, and promote youth capacity development in the water sector.

KW - water

KW - challenges

KW - climate control

KW - engagement

KW - learning models

KW - experiential

KW - water

KW - uitdagingen

KW - klimaatbeheer

KW - engagement

KW - leermodellen

KW - ervaringsgericht

M3 - Poster

T2 - Water Institute of South Africa 2026 Biennial Conference & Exhibition

Y2 - 22 July 2026 through 24 July 2026

ER -

Integrating Experiential Learning Programs for a Sustainable Water Future and Climate Resilience: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Research Focus Areas Hanze University of Applied Sciences * (mandatory by Hanze)

Research Focus Areas Research Centre or Centre of Expertise * (mandatory by Hanze)

Publinova themes

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this