Launch of free MOOC Water Cooperation and Diplomacy
Water is the source of life, but the lack of it can also be a potential source of conflict. In the face of climate change and increasing pressures on natural resources such as water due to a growing global population, it is crucial to understand how to deal with water scarcity and the risks that accompany water-related challenges. Water cooperation and diplomacy can help avoid conflict. It can also be harnessed as a vehicle for forging transboundary and regional relations.
Water Cooperation and Diplomacy Partnership
The University of Geneva, Geneva Water Hub and IHE Delft have jointly launched a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Water Cooperation and Diplomacy. IHE Delft Associate Professor Jenniver Sehring for Water Governance and Diplomacy at the Institute’s Department of Water Governance is among the team that coordinates the course on behalf of the Universities’ Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy (UPWCD). Her expertise in this MOOC focusses in particular on the causes and dynamics of water conflicts and cooperation.
“In order to develop and apply adequate water diplomacy and conflict resolution tools, we need to understand the root causes of water-related conflicts and the role of different actors," says IHE Delft Associate Professor Jenniver Sehring for Water Governance and Diplomacy. "For this, certain theoretical approaches can help us to analyse and understand the complexities of water-related conflict and cooperation processes.”
Other IHE colleagues have contributed with lectures to the MOOC, including Susanne Schmeier, Associate Professor of Water Law and Diplomacy, and Emanuele Fantini, Senior Lecturer in Water Politics and Communication.
“In order to develop and apply adequate water diplomacy and conflict resolution tools, we need to understand the root causes of water-related conflicts and the role of different actors.”
Transboundary water cooperation and diplomacy
The course is geared to anyone interested in addressing challenges related to transboundary water cooperation and diplomacy. Participants will learn that there is no silver bullet to address such challenges. Therefore, the MOOC aims to enable participants to understand the complexities of water cooperation and diplomacy; and be able to anticipate, prevent and transform water-related disputes. Participants will learn about the core features of the concept of water diplomacy, the causes and dynamics of water conflicts and cooperation, different water diplomacy tools and processes, legal and institutional frameworks for water cooperation and diplomacy, and the roles of data, information and knowledge in water cooperation and diplomacy.
The intermediate level course, available on Coursera, includes interviews with practitioners and lectures by various partners of the UPWCD from around the world. The five modules are led by Christian Brethaut and Fatine Ezbakhe of the University of Geneva, IHE Delft’s Jenniver Sehring, Lena Salame of the Geneva Water Hub and Rozemarijn ter Horst of Wageningen University and Research (WUR).
If you are an early career water professional or diplomat, sign up for the Massive Online Open Course on Water Cooperation and Diplomacy.
Trailer MOOC Water Cooperation and Diplomacy
Jenniver Sehring
Associate Professor of Water Governance and Diplomacy
