Water Conflict, Cooperation Policy Briefs Launched at World Water Week
Rivalries over water have been the source of disputes since humans settled
down to cultivate food. But while users within a nation often fight over
water, no nations have gone to war specifically over water resources for
thousands of years. International water disputes are resolved peacefully,
even as conflicts erupt over other issues.
Warnings of coming water wars have diverted attention from the benefits that
can flow from the worlds transboundary river basins. By coming together to
jointly manage their shared water resources, countries can build trust and
help prevent conflict.
To bring these little-known opportunities to a wider audience, the
Environmental Change and Security Program's Navigating Peace initiative has
designed a series of short policy briefs that examines how water can
contribute to cooperation between states, while addressing waters role in
conflict within states. The briefs offer policy recommendations for using
water resources management to head off conflict and to support sustainable
peace among countries.
Released in time for the annual World Water Week meetings in Stockholm,
Sweden, the first and second policy briefs, "Water Can Be a Pathway to
Peace, Not War" and "The Challenges of Groundwater in Southern Africa" were
distributed to water stakeholders, policymakers, and activists.
Contact information | n/a |
---|---|
News type | Inbrief |
File link |
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1413&categoryid=A84F71E7-65BF-E7DC-4E3D65C4974A971A&fuseaction=topics.news_item_topics&news_id=196897 |
Source of information | Wilson Center |
Subject(s) | |
Geographical coverage | Sweden |
News date | 24/08/2006 |
Working language(s) | ENGLISH |