Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security from edX

Freshwater scarcity, stress, and crisis are increasing worldwide. More than a billion people live in water-scarce regions, and 3.5 billion could experience water scarcity by 2025. These pressures disproportionally affect vulnerable and marginalized people, including those living in poverty and displacement. Rising pollution levels accelerate the crisis by reducing water availability for human use and impacting aquatic life in rivers, lakes, aquifers, and the oceans.

Transboundary basins account for roughly 60% of freshwater resources, serving 2.8 billion people, or 42% of the world’s population. Complex shared transboundary freshwater and ecosystems cut across myriad sectoral needs, themes, and political boundaries. Setting effective policy goals, coupled with investments, means working at multiple scales with a range of public and private stakeholders throughout the watershed, from source to sea and beyond.

This course presents multiple facets of governance for transboundary freshwater security – from financing mechanisms to negotiation skills – while emphasizing the urgency of sustainable development and cooperation at many levels. It extends from basic building blocks and concepts to advanced thinking about transboundary governance, and applies theory to practice through examples and case studies. Topics covered in six modules range from the fundamentals of transboundary water security to international water law, water diplomacy, negotiations, institutions, management tools, and sustainable finance.

The course is designed for professionals who manage and make decisions about transboundary waters within line ministries and river basin organizations; managers of transboundary water projects and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters Portfolio; the GEF IW:LEARN Network; NGOs, academics, and private sector actors working on basin management; development practitioners; young professionals and future leaders in transboundary waters, including undergraduate and graduate students; and anyone else who is keen to learn about the topic.

This MOOC was produced by the Global Water Partnership in collaboration with GEF IW:LEARN and its partners. Over 80 water professionals from around the world brought their experiences to lectures and case studies. Modules are coordinated by United Nations University, Northumbria University, Stockholm International Water Institute, IHE-Delft, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the Global Water Partnership.

What you'll learn

Basic understandings of transboundary freshwater security
Fundamentals of transboundary water cooperation
Concepts, roles, and functions of different tracks of water diplomacy
Key approaches to negotiation, including inter-personal skills and techniques
Principles of international water law
Case studies of international water law in application
Transboundary water institutions’ roles, functions, establishment processes, and success factors
Management tools on transboundary water: including decision support tools, transboundary diagnostic analysis (TDA), and strategic action programme (SAP)
Conjunctive management of surface water and groundwater
The source-to-sea approach in a transboundary water context
Stakeholder participation approaches and tools
Various options for financing transboundary water cooperation

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Massive Open Online Course on Transboundary Freshwater Security

Module 1: Introduction to transboundary water cooperation and water security

Module 2: Water diplomacy and negotiation skills

Module 3: International water law

Module 4: Institutions

Module 5: Management tools and mechanisms for governance of transboundary freshwater security

Module 6: Finance for transboundary water security

Concluding lecture: Key learnings from the course and next steps

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores different aspects of transboundary water security, including negotiation skills, legal frameworks, and management tools

Develops negotiation and stakeholder participation skills, which are essential for managing transboundary water resources

Builds a strong foundation in international water law, which is highly relevant to professionals working in transboundary water management

Taught by a team of experienced water professionals from around the world, who bring their diverse expertise to the course

Examines case studies of international water law in application, which helps learners understand how legal principles are implemented in practice

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security with these activities:

Read 'The Law of International Watercourses'

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Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of international water law, a key topic in the course.

View BRIDGES OVER WATER: UNDERSTANDING TRANSBOUNDARY... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Read the book carefully, taking notes as you go.
Review your notes regularly.

Review water economics and valuation

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Water scarcity often requires an understanding of water from an economic perspective. This can help during negotiations of transboundary waters and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of water security.

Browse courses on Water Economics

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Read academic papers and articles on water economics and valuation
Review textbooks and online resources on water economics and valuation
Attend a workshop or seminar on water economics and valuation

Volunteer for a Water-Related Organization

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Provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in the field and to make a contribution to their community.

Browse courses on Water Security

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Find a local water-related organization to volunteer for.
Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering.
Attend training and orientation sessions.

Six other activities

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Review International Law

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Refreshes knowledge of international law to make it easier to understand international water law

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Review your notes from any previous courses you have taken on international law.
Read through the syllabus for this course and identify any topics that you may need to brush up on.
Use online resources, such as the United Nations website, to find additional information on international law.

Practice Negotiation Simulations

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Provides students with hands-on experience with negotiation, a key skill in transboundary water governance.

Browse courses on Water Diplomacy

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Find a partner to practice with.
Choose a scenario to negotiate.
Role-play the negotiation.
Reflect on the negotiation and identify areas for improvement.

Contribute to an Open-Source Water Management Project

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Provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in water management and to contribute to the open-source community.

Browse courses on Water Management

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Find an open-source water management project to contribute to.
Review the project's documentation and code.
Make changes or additions to the code.
Submit your changes to the project.

Participate in a Study Group

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Provides students with an opportunity to discuss course content with their peers, ask questions, and learn from each other.

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Find a group of classmates to study with.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Work together on assignments and projects.
Quiz each other on the material.

Attend a Workshop on Transboundary Water Governance

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Provides students with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.

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Find a workshop that is relevant to your interests.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Develop a Transboundary Water Management Plan

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Provides students with an opportunity to apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on Water Management

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Identify a transboundary water basin.
Research the basin and its stakeholders.
Develop a plan to manage the water resources in the basin.
Present your plan to the class.

Career center

Learners who complete Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Water Resources Manager

A Water Resources Manager plans and manages water resources. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Resources Managers may be responsible for water conservation, water quality protection, or flood control. This course would provide a Water Resources Manager with more knowledge of water security, international water negotiations, and water management. This knowledge would be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Planner

A Water Resources Planner develops and implements plans for water resources management. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Resources Planners may be responsible for water conservation, water quality protection, or flood control. This course would provide a Water Resources Planner with more knowledge of water security, international water negotiations, and water management. This knowledge would be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Planner

Water Policy Analyst

A Water Policy Analyst researches and analyzes water policy issues. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. Water Policy Analysts may develop and implement water policies, or they may advise policymakers on water-related issues. This course would provide a Water Policy Analyst with more knowledge of water security, international water negotiations, and water management. This knowledge would be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Policy Analyst

Water Utility Manager

A Water Utility Manager plans and manages water utilities. They may work for government agencies or private companies. Water Utility Managers are responsible for water supply, water treatment, and water distribution. This course would provide a Water Utility Manager with more knowledge of water security, water management, and international negotiations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Utility Manager

Water Efficiency Engineer

A Water Efficiency Engineer designs and implements water efficiency measures. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Efficiency Engineers may be responsible for water audits, water-saving technology, or water conservation education. This course would provide a Water Efficiency Engineer with more knowledge of water security, water conservation, and international negotiations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Efficiency Engineer

Water Resources Engineer

A Water Resources Engineer uses their knowledge of engineering to manage water resources. This may include designing and building dams, reservoirs, and other water infrastructure. Water Resources Engineers improve flood defenses, restore damaged watersheds, and prevent droughts. They may be involved with the cleanup of polluted water or the creation of water treatment systems. This course offers Water Resources Engineers more knowledge about water security, international negotiation, and water management. This may be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Water Treatment Plant Operator

A Water Treatment Plant Operator operates and maintains water treatment plants. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Treatment Plant Operators are responsible for ensuring that water is safe to drink. This course would provide a Water Treatment Plant Operator with more knowledge of water security, water quality management, and international negotiations. This knowledge may be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

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Water Governance Specialist

A Water Governance Specialist works to improve water governance. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international organizations. Water Governance Specialists may be responsible for water policy, water management, or water conflict resolution. This course may be useful for a Water Governance Specialist working on transboundary water issues. It provides a comprehensive overview of water governance, including topics such as international water law, water diplomacy, and water management. However, it is important to note that an advanced degree is typically required to work as a Water Governance Specialist.

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Hydrologist

A Hydrologist is a scientist who studies the movement and distribution of water. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, universities, and private companies. Hydrologists may study water quality, water quantity, or the effects of climate change on water resources. This course would help a Hydrologist to develop a strong foundation in water security, international water negotiations, and water management. This knowledge would be helpful for a Hydrologist working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

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Water Conservation Specialist

A Water Conservation Specialist develops and implements water conservation programs. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Conservation Specialists may be responsible for water conservation education, water audits, or water-saving technology. This course would provide a Water Conservation Specialist with more knowledge of water security and water conservation. This knowledge may be particularly useful for those working on transboundary water projects or international water conflicts.

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Water Resources Modeler

A Water Resources Modeler develops and uses computer models to simulate water resources systems. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Resources Modelers may be responsible for water supply planning, flood control, or water quality management. This course would provide a Water Resources Modeler with more knowledge of water security, water management, and international negotiations.

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Water Quality Specialist

A Water Quality Specialist monitors and protects water quality. They may work for government agencies, water utilities, or private companies. Water Quality Specialists may be responsible for water quality testing, water treatment, or pollution prevention. This course would help a Water Quality Specialist develop a strong foundation in water security, and water quality management. This knowledge may be particularly useful in situations of transboundary water pollution.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and how human activities affect it. They may work for government agencies, environmental consulting firms, or non-profit organizations. Environmental Scientists may collect data on air and water quality, study the effects of climate change, or develop plans to protect endangered species. This course would help an Environmental Scientist with international negotiation and water resource management. Additionally, some Environmental Scientists will work on transboundary conflicts as water stress increases in the future.

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International Development Specialist

An International Development Specialist works to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. International Development Specialists may be responsible for water resources management, health care, or education. This course may be useful for an International Development Specialist working on water resources management in developing countries. It provides a strong foundation in water security and international negotiations, which are important for this type of work.

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Environmental Lawyer

An Environmental Lawyer specializes in environmental law. They may work for government agencies, law firms, or non-profit organizations. Environmental Lawyers may be responsible for water pollution, air pollution, or climate change. This course may be useful for an Environmental Lawyer working on transboundary water issues. It covers topics such as international water law and water diplomacy, which are important for this type of work. However, it is important to note that an advanced degree is typically required to work as an Environmental Lawyer.

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