ILEC conducts training programs to contribute to improving the governance of lake basin management in developing countries and to develop leaders in water environment conservation. ILEC has been commissioned by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), government ministries, and other organizations to conduct training program projects related to lake management. ILEC will contribute to developing human resources in developing countries and promote establishing a network of participants, collaborating with ILEC's scientific committee members.
To date, ILEC Training course has received 453Participants from0Countries (As of August ,2025)
Asia
122
Latin America
20
Europe and Middle East
4
Africa
4
Oceania
1
More than 1,000 participants have participated to ILEC Online Seminars to deepen their knowledge of water resources management.
JICA Training
The JICA training course titled “Integrated Lake, River and Coastal Basin Management For Sustainable Use and Preservation of Water Resources” is conducted every year.（FY2024 Concluded: Commemorative Publication Available Here）
This training program is based on the concept of ILBM. It includes lectures by lecturers from government agencies, universities, NGOs, and companies, as well as visits to dams, wastewater treatment facilities, and water purification plants, observation of environmental NGO activities, and discussions with companies.
During the training program, participants discover and share issues related to lakes and their basins in their own countries and create action plans to deal with their own issues through lectures, visits, and discussions. After returning to their home countries, the participants continue to put their action plans into practice and make use of what they have learned from the training.
Learn about ILBM
Water Quality Monitoring on a research boat
Visit Yodo River Dam
Visit a septic tank
Learn a traditional water spring system
Meet with private companies
Commemorative Publication for the JICA training course titled “Integrated Lake, River and Coastal Basin Management For Sustainable Use and Preservation of Water Resources”
Now, with the conclusion of this training program after 35 years since its inception in FY1990, we are pleased to publish this commemorative publication to reflect on its journey and to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have been involved.
A Brief Message：
# I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the implementation of this Knowledge Co-Creating Program over the past 30 years. I hope that the application of ILBM will continue to expand through the learnings from this program.
Ichiro Mimura, Deputy Director General, Forest and Natural Environment Conservation Group, Global Environment Department, JICA
# I would like to express my deep gratitude for your significant contributions to solving the problems faced by developing countries by using your extensive knowledge in integrated lake basin management for sustainable use and preservation of water resources.
Ken Imai, Deputy Director General, JICA Kansai
# I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those involved for their dedicated efforts, and I hope that the learning gained by the participants will bear even more fruit.
Junko Takama, JICA-KCCP Coordinator
# Through this training, I had the invaluable opportunity to meet and interact with participants from around the world—an experience that left a deep impression on me. I truly hope that one day I will visit the countries and regions of all the participants I met.
Misuzu Asari, Professor, The Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
# This is not an end, but a new beginning—building upon the international bonds and knowledge fostered through this training program, we look forward to further advances in sustainable water resource management!
Wong Yong Jie, Junior Associate Professor, Kyoto University of Advanced Science
# What left a strong impression on me in the “Ecotourism” lecture which I was responsible for teaching was the presentations given by the participants on the current state of ecotourism in their respective countries. The vivid images reflecting each country’s situation, combined with their passionate presentations, captivated all of us and drew everyone together as one. I sincerely hope that this lecture will serve as a step toward sustainable tourism that protects the watersheds in each of the participants’ countries.
Yoshika Yamamoto, Visiting Professor, School of Environmental Science, the University of Shiga Prefecture
# I am deeply grateful for all the support I have received over the 28 years since 1997. I am very pleased and encouraged to see participants actively contributing in their countries through the World Lake Conference and other activities. Although this training program has ended, I sincerely look forward to meeting participants again in our continued efforts to promote lake environmental conservation. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the training over the years. Thank you very much.
Keiko Wada, Deputy Director General, Lake Biwa-Yodo River Water Environmental Research; Specially Appointed Professor, Kyoto University, Disaster Prevention Research Institute
Environmental Education Program
The Ministry of Environment and Shiga Prefectural government commissioned ILEC to engage in environmental education programs.
One of the programs is an education program for those involved in overseas lake management to disseminate the "Lake Biwa Model" of lake basin management
"Lake Biwa Model" is a comprehensive approach based on technologies and know-how accumulated by industry, academia, government, and private sectors to promote water environment conservation in Lake Biwa.
Delegates from Vietnam visit a sewage treatment plant
Online Seminar for JICA Nicaragua Office
