International Water Law
Water is the most abundant resource on Earth. However, only a small quantity of it, approximately 2.53%, is freshwater that can be used for agriculture, human consumption, and industrial purposes. With the steady increase in the world population, urbanization and environmental degradation, the competing demands of the riparian States will continue to grow.
In this context, appropriate legal frameworks for transboundary water cooperation have to be negotiated and implemented in order to address the problems related to the access, equitable use, shared management and protection of freshwater resources. To accomplish this task, qualified professionals are needed, particularly in the least developed and developing countries.
The course’s goal is to provide professionals involved in the negotiation or implementation of treaties related to freshwater resources with advanced knowledge of the principles and norms that govern the use, sharing, management and protection of these resources.The overall goal is to enable participants to create, interpret and implement effective transboundary water legal frameworks.
At the end of the course participants will be able to:
- Describe the key principles of the law on transboundary water resources including rivers, lakes and aquifers.
- Explain the interaction between universal, regional and specific water agreements.
- Identify the linkages between the norms and the practices related to international economic law and the management of freshwater.
- Define the notion of the right to water and sanitation and its relationship with other human rights.
- Analyze the norms for protecting water during armed conflicts.
The course is composed of one optional module and four mandatory modules. The optional module, Module 1, is specifically designed for participants who do not have a legal background.
Module 1: Introduction to International Law: Principles and sources.
Module 2: The Evolution of International Regulation on Transboundary Water Resources.
Module 3: The Principles of the Law on Transboundary Water Resources (Section 1).
Module 4: The Principles of the Law on Transboundary Water Resources (Section 2).
Module 5: Water and International Economic Law.
The course presents interactive lessons and additional resources, such as links to complementary information and a glossary of legal terms, as a primary learning method. Videos, discussing specific issues and featuring international legal experts, are a secondary component. The learning approach is complemented by practical collaborative activities, such as scenario based exercises, guided research assignments, and discussion forums. Throughout the course participants learn from each other and interact with the facilitator who supports their learning process.
The course is aimed at government officers dealing with transboundary water issues, diplomats, negotiators, specialists from various ministries (Foreign Affairs, Environment, etc.) and governmental agencies working in the field of water management, civil society representatives, and academics. The course on International Water Law will be offered free of charge for 35 selected candidates. Applications will be screened on the basis of a selection process.
To apply for the course, candidates must be between 25 and 50 years old and have a background in law, political sciences, economics or international relations, or working experience in freshwater issues. Fluency in written English is also required since the course will be conducted in English. Applicants must complete this online application form and sent a resume and motivation letter to info.ilp [at] unitar.org (subject: International%20Water%20Law%20Course_Application) (info[dot]ilp[at]unitar[dot]org )
After completing the online registration form, please do not attach your CV and Motivation letter using the "Attach" button available at the bottom of the page
More information about the application procedure here.