Water Governance: Frameworks and Negotiations

• Identify and analyse the new challenges of water resource management on a global scale, taking into consideration the whole water cycle.
• Analyse hydropolitics and actors’ strategies and gain an understanding of trends and functioning of water governance at a 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 practitioners in the field of water governance.

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.

• Implement strategies that take into consideration 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.

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

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.

15 March 2025

Modules can be followed individually

CHF 3,500.– for all modules taken as a package. Fractioned payment is also possible by arrangement
CHF 1,250.– per module taken individually

• 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 subject of the programme;
• Demonstrate their motivation to follow the Certificate programme 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.

Your application will be evaluatedby the Steering Committee of the CAS. You will be informed of the decision by e-mail.

Max. 15 participants

• CV
• Duplicates of diplomas
• Cover letter (including information on professional experience)
• Copy of your ID
• Photo

• 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 subject of the programme;
• Demonstrate their motivation to follow the Certificate program programme 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.

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

Saturday: 8:15 am - 12:15 pm

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.

The Summer School, as a blended programme, integrates the MOOC in Water Management and Policy, which is equivalent to one module of the training. This MOOC, delivered to participants via the Coursera platform, provides a general introduction to the course. It must be followed before the start of the Summer School in Geneva. Regarding the completion of the MOOC, participants are required to obtain the certificate of achievement delivered by Coursera. Costs of this certificate are paid directly to Coursera by participants themselves as they are not covered by the registration fees. Financial aid can be applied for, and information on this is available on the Coursera Platform.

To obtain the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), participants are required (1) to complete the MOOC, (2) to attend the Summer School and submit the four final evaluations, and (3) to submit a final thesis.

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.

Modules’ final evaluations have to be submitted one month after the end of the Summer School and are graded by the module coordinators. Evaluations consist of written and/or oral tests. The final thesis needs to be submitted within the time stipulated (two months after the Summer School).

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

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

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