Analysis to transform water conflicts / hydro-hegemony

The talk will propose Transformative analysis’ as a way for diplomacy to (better) understand international water conflicts. With transboundary water arrangements as the object of study, and a focus on the structures of the political economy which defined the arrangements, starting points include the importance of considering all forms of water, the role of power asymmetry, the co-existence of conflict and cooperation - and the pathways that conflicts have and can transform along. Examples will be taken from the Nile, Jordan, and Tigris and Euphrates basins.

References:

Zeitoun, M. and N. Mirumachi .(2008). Transboundary water interaction I: Reconsidering conflict and cooperation. International Environmental Agreements 8(4): 297 - 316.

Zeitoun, M., N. Mirumachi, J. Warner, M. Kirkegaard and A. Cascão. (2020). Analysis for water conflict transformation. Water International 45(4): 365 - 384.

Zeitoun, M. and Warner, J . (2006). Hydro-Hegemony: A Framework for Analysis of Transboundary Water Conflicts. Water Policy 8(2006): 435-460.

                                                                             

Prof. Mark Zeitoun 

Mark Zeitoun is a Professor of Water Security and Policy, at the University of East Anglia, School of International Development. Mark’s research on environmental policy and politics follows three themes: a) transboundary water conflict and cooperation, at international, sub-national and trans-national levels; b) water policy and social justice issues; and c) urban water supply and treatment during and immediately following armed conflict. The topics are interpreted with theory from numerous disciplines, including political economy, political ecology, justice, law, politics, and hydrology. He has a particular interest in the role that power asymmetry plays, and a geographic focus on the Middle East and Africa. The interests have been cultivated by his role as co-lead in the London Water Research Group and the UEA Water Security Research Centre, both of which take a critical perspective at international transboundary environmental cooperation and conflict, and 'hydro-hegemony'. The activities follow a professional career in water policy, management, and negotiations. Mark has worked as a humanitarian-aid water engineer in conflict and post-conflict zones, including in Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Lebanon, Iraq, and the West Bank and Gaza. He consults regularly on water negotiations, policy, and governance for a variety of organisations. He is the author of Power and Water in the Middle East: The Hidden Politics of the Palestinian-Israeli Water Conflict (IB Tauris 2008), and contributes regularly to debates through public lectures and media pieces.

About the e-Lecture Series:

This online training module has the objective to engage the NEWAVESRs and the audience in different water governance perspectives. All lectures are open to the public upon registration.

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A participation certificate can be requested if attending at least 80% of the online public talks.

*All times are in CET (UTC+1)
 

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