Distance Learning Course on International Water Law and the Law of Transboundary Aquifers
Would you like to be able to implement a transboundary water agreement? The 5th Edition of the Distance Learning Course on International Water Law and the Law of Transboundary Aquifers has already been launched!
The Geneva Water Hub invites you to participate in the 5th session of its Online Course on International Water Law and the Law of Transboundary Aquifers which will take place from 5 October to 14 December 2020.
By 2030, approximately 40% of the world's population will be faced with a severe shortage of freshwater which is likely to create increasing tensions amongst countries sharing water resources and also between different users and uses (irrigation, energy, human consumption and industrial utilizations). The training of qualified professionals to deal with this crisis plays a fundamental role in the equitable and sustainable management of this finite natural resource.
In this context, knowledge of international standards and principles governing the management and protection of freshwater resources is necessary in order to negotiate and implement appropriate legal frameworks to prevent the risk of water related tensions.
The past editions of the Course were a great success and received a very positive feedback from participants. Indeed, 75% of participants of the 2019 edition considered that the course had met their training needs, 79% responded that the learning objectives had been met and, 94% were satisfied with the teaching provided during the course. Below are a few comments left by former students:
“The training used different participatory approaches such as webinar, assignments and quiz which tested factual knowledge and analytical perspective of the subject matter. The support afforded to me, both technical as well as the answers from the expert, was superb. Therefore, I have no hesitation in recommending the course to any person whatsoever.”
Sarah Vranckx, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Namibia. 2016 Session.
"I strongly recommend it to everyone … the quality of the content and the materials are invaluable. As a diplomat, the knowledge acquired during this course will be useful for promoting a better governance of our transboundary and local basins."
Juan Carlos Pomadera, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru. 2017 Session.
"I found the International Water Law course to be of an exceptionally high standard (…). I have no hesitation in recommending the course as I found the skills acquired and knowledge gained to be useful in advancing one’s understanding of the exciting and developing field of International Water law."
Kalaycia Clarke, International Court of Justice, Netherlands. 2018 Session.
After 4 years of running the Course, its quality and pedagogical approach were recognized in an article published by NewSpecial Magazine which addresses the professionals working in international organizations based in Geneva.
Course content and workload
This course consists of 6 thematic modules covering the sources of international water law, the principles of international regulation of transboundary water resources, as well as the relationship between international water law and international environmental law, human rights, international humanitarian law, and international economic law.
Participants are expected to invest an average of 10 hours per week in reviewing the content and preparing for assignments, participating in the discussion forums and attending webinars.
Registrations and scholarship applications
The registration fee for this online training is 900 CHF (about 900 USD). The Geneva Water Hub, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, offers partial and full scholarships to candidates from non-OECD countries, in particular candidates from least developed countries.
Interested professionals can register or apply for a scholarship until 27 September at www.unige.ch/formcont/cours/water-law?dl=inscription.
For more information on eligibility criteria, consult the brochure below or visit this page www.unige.ch/formcont/cours/water-law.