What we talk about when we talk about the global water crisis: Unpacking human-water problems through a multi-perspectivity approach | “The Next Wave of Water Governance” Diffused Conference Thematic Seminars
"What we talk about when we talk about the global water crisis: Unpacking human-water problems through a multi-perspectivity approach" by Paulina Raniecka
The idea of a global water crisis has gained a lot of attention since the 1990s. However, as water crisis can refer to a range of often interconnected human-water problems, it has become hard to define, ambiguous and lacking clear solutions, resulting in a lack of action. For a long time, water issues were treated as purely technical, leading to a prescription of top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions. Such an approach would result in a widespread water illiteracy, overlooking the political and cultural dimensions of water, neglecting the diverse realities of water and its wicked nature. In her presentation, Paulina begins unraveling the many understandings of this notion, offering preliminary taxonomy of problems, suggested solutions, and experiences of key gamechangers in the field from her ongoing doctoral research.
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About the speaker
Paulina Raniecka is a PhD Candidate at the department of Environmental Policy Analysis of the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She has background in environment and resource management, with a specialisation in global water challenges from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (MSc). Her research interests lie at the intersection of water governance, environmental justice, and conflict studies. Prior to beginning her PhD, Paulina worked as Affiliated Researcher for the NEWAVE: Next Water Governance project – a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (part of the EU Research and Innovation program Horizon 2020), aimed at supporting the career development of a new generation of water governance early-stage researchers. Alongside her doctoral research, Paulina works as the Communications Coordinator for the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) – a VU-wide knowledge centre for sustainability-related research at the university.
Discussants
Anja Nygren is Professor of Global Development Studies and Founding Member of the Global Extractivisms and Alternatives -research initiative (EXALT) at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She is also Jan de Vos Visiting Professor at the Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (CIECAS) and at the Colegio de la Frontera Sur, in Mexico. Anja’s recent research interests have focused on water governance, flood disasters, environmental justice, hydrocarbon extraction, resource frontiers, and urban disasters and displacements. She has carried out long-term empirical research in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Mexico. Currently, she is leading a research project that focuses on repair and responsibility in fragile environments, with empirical case studies from Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
Jampel Dell'Angelo is Associate Professor of Water Governance and Politics at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Editor-in-Chief of World Development.
