CAS Water Governance: Frameworks and Negotiations 2024

In 2020, and for the ninth year in a row, the Global Risk Report of the World Economic Forum ranked water-related crises among the top five most impactful risks. Policy-makers need innovative skills to address the unprecedented challenges in water governance.

Information

Period

1 July 2024 - 12 July 2024
10 ECTS credits
95 Teaching hours
30 Distance teaching hours
To obtain the certificate (CAS), participants need to complete (1) the MOOC in Water Management and Policy (UNIGE online class available on the Coursera platform: https://www.coursera.org/learn/water-management), (2) the four modules of the Summer School, and (3) a final thesis. The Summer School takes place in Geneva. It includes four modules of 2.5 days that can be taken individually or as a package. Ideally, participants should complete the MOOC in Water Management and Policy before the start of the Summer School.

Language

English

Format

Blended learning

Contact

Geneva Water Hub - Research & Education
cas-eau(at)unige.ch

Location

Genève

Registration

Registration deadline

1 May 2024
Modules can be followed individually

Fees:

  • For all modules taken as a package: CHF 3,500.- 
  • Per module taken individually: CHF 1,250.- 

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

Objectives

  • Identify and analyse the new challenges of water resource management at the global scale, considering the whole water cycle
  • Analyse hydropolitics and actors’ strategies and understand trends and functioning of water governance at the global level
  • Provide tools to water professionals to analyse water policy issues and manage the resource in the face of risk and uncertainty
  • Develop work-related skills such as the ability to analyse international legal and institutional frameworks, the related negotiations, and the ability to prevent and regulate water conflicts
  • Develop a community of practice in the field of water governance

Audience

This programme is aimed at professionals acting at strategic levels who seek to develop analytical skills in water governance processes. A broad diversity of backgrounds is expected and welcomed: public administrations, international organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations and private sector.

Learning outcomes

  •  Implement strategies that consider both political and practical issues of water management
  •  Use tools to analyse and manage water policy issues in a changing environment (political, economic, environmental)
  •  Analyse legal frameworks (and their development) for the management of water resources
  •  Manage complex situations and implement innovative solutions
  •  Communicate effectively on policy and strategic issues regarding water resources
  •  Anticipate inter and intra-sectoral water conflicts and resolve these conflicts with water management tools

Programme

5 modules:

  • Module 1: MOOC Water Resources Management and Policy (Online Course)
  • Module 2: Hydropolitics
  • Module 3: International Water Law at the Intersection of Different Fields of International Law
  • Module 4: Conflict Management Processes
  • Module 5: Data, Water and Cooperation

Director(s)

Prof. Christian BRÉTHAUT and Dr. Imane Messaoudi-Mattei, Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE), University of Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Geneva Water Hub - Research & Education

Partnership

Swiss Confederation: Global Programme Water, Swiss Agency for Development • Geneva Water Hub • UNESCO Chair on Hydropolitics • Collaborations established with other administrations, companies, and universities • Unparalleled competencies from International Geneva in the field of water and conflict prevention are mobilised within this training programme
The management of water resources faces environmental, climatic, political, and economic challenges. In this changing environment, innovative policies should be designed to foster collaborations between States, civil society, and the private sector. To this end, practitioners and decision-makers need to develop new analytical skills.

The Institute for Environmental Sciences of the University of Geneva launches another edition of the certifying Summer School in “Water Governance: Framework and Negotiations”. This two-week training aims to deliver skills and knowledge based on the latest scientific research applicable in professional contexts. Participants will learn how to use water governance tools to address complex political situations, be resilient when a crisis strikes, and innovate in the face of risk and uncertainty.

In addition to the Summer School, a MOOC in Water Management and Policy is offered to the participants (available on the Coursera platform). To obtain the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), participants are required to complete (1) the MOOC (ideally before the Summer School), (2) the Summer School, and (3) a final thesis.

Regarding the completion of the MOOC, students are required to obtain a certificate of achievement delivered by the Coursera platform. Costs of this certificate are funded directly by participants. Financial aid is available on the Coursera platform.

Speakers

Prof. Christian Bréthaut and Prof. Géraldine Pflieger

Description

  • Water as a common pool resource
  • Rules of the resource: uses and circumvention
  • Integrated resource management and the nexus
  • Integrated watershed management
  • Water as a source of conflict and cooperation

Location

Geneva

Speakers

Prof. Christian Bréthaut

Description

  • Frameworks for understanding and analysing hydropolitics
  • Different perspectives on hydropolitics
  • Hydropolitical dynamics around transboundary waters

Location

Geneva

Speakers

Dr Mara Tignino

Description

  • Sources and principles of international water law
  • Linkages between international water law and other areas of international law
  • Legal tools to solve water-related disputes

Location

Geneva

Speakers

Ms Léna Salamé

Description

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques
  • Focus on the negotiation process
  • Skills for a successful negotiation

Location

Geneva

Speakers

Ms Rozemarijn ter Horst

Description

  • Role of data and models in water cooperation
  • Different actors involved in data collection and sharing
  • Interplay between information and (emerging) technologies, knowledge, and power

Assessment

Modules are evaluated by the module coordinators. Evaluations consist of written and/or oral tests. The final (portfolio) thesis needs to be delivered within the time stipulated.

Pedagogical method

Our learning philosophy encourages interaction between theory and practice, inviting trainers and participants alike to share their knowledge and expertise.

To accomplish this, an important aspect is the reduced number of participants that allows each one individually to maximise their involvement. Example-rich debates among water professionals coming from different backgrounds and countries stimulate the acquisition of knowledge and capability on water management.

Thus, the learning methodology involves:

  • An effective involvement of participants through open discussions, and work in groups.
  • A multidisciplinary perspective of international water governance.
  • A combination of academic knowledge and field expertise, based on the most recent research and concrete examples in the water and policy domain.
  • The development of skills transferable to a variety of professional environments.

Diploma awarded

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Water Governance: Frameworks and Negotiations/ Le certificat de formation continue en Gouvernance de l'eau: structures et négociations is awarded, subject to the assessment criteria being met for each module, by the Institute for Environmental Sciences of the University of Geneva.

Admission criteria

  • Hold a university master's degree, a university bachelor's degree, a bachelor's or master's degree from a university of applied sciences or a degree deemed equivalent;
  • Have at least 2 years of professional experience related to the Certificate program;
  • Demonstrate their motivation to follow the Certificate program by describing how it links to their professional practice; and
  • Have a good command of oral and written English, enabling them to follow the CAS courses, read scientific documents, and communicate within the framework of the training activities.

Steering committee

  • Prof. Christian BRÉTHAUT (director), University of Geneva, Institute of Environmental Sciences (ISE)
  • Dr. Imane MESSAOUDI-MATTEI (co-director), University of Geneva, Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE)

Scientific committee

  • Prof. Géraldine PFIELGER, University of Geneva, Institute of Environmental Sciences (ISE)
  • Prof. Laurence BOISSON DE CHAZOURNES, University of Geneva, Faculty of Law
  • Ms. Dimka STANTCHEV SKEIE, Project Manager, Global Programme Water of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
  • Dr. James DALTON, Director, Global Water Programme of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Mr. Cédric LECAMP, Investment Manager, Pictet Water Strategy at the Pictet Asset Management

Number of participants

Max. 15 participants

Detailed fees

  • CHF 3'500.- for all modules taken as a package. Fractioned payment is possible by arrangement
  • CHF 1'250.- per module taken individually

Schedule

Monday - Friday: 8:15 am - 12:00 pm / 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday: 8:15 am - 12:15 pm

Collaboration

Swiss Confederation: Global Programme Water, Swiss Agency for Development; Geneva Water Hub; UNESCO Chair on Hydropolitics; Collaborations established with other administrations, companies, and universities; Unparalleled competencies from International Geneva in the field of water and conflict prevention are mobilised within this training programme

Remarks

Priority will be given to participants who wish to follow the programme as a whole. Application for one or several specific modules is possible.

University faculty members, researchers, water experts at the international level

The summer school was a very fruitful experience, a unique opportunity to meet water specialists and to get theoretical knowledge and practical training. I had the chance to meet practitioners in water management and hydro-diplomacy from different places and cultures. Ziad Tak, PhD., Lebanon 

I appreciated a lot to attend the course in international water governance. It gave me the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge taught through innovative teaching methods. Moreover, it was a wonderful opportunity to exchange with professionals from different countries and to get immerged for two weeks in an international environment. Virginie Entringer, administrative officer, CNRS, France   

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development