Short course International Water Law and the Law of Transboundary Aquifers (distance learning course) 2024
Information
Period
Contact coordinatorLanguage
EnglishFormat
Distance learningRegistration
Fees:
CHF 900.-
Full and partial scholarships are available for participants from non-OECD countries.
Contribution to the SDGs
Objectives
- Gain sound knowledge of international water law
- Acquire an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted aspects related to the governance of water resources
- Foster reflection on the linkages between international water law and other areas of international law
- Foster reflection allowing a more effective use of legal tools to improve access to water and solve water-related disputes
Audience
Government official (diplomat, technical and scientific specialist working in transboundary water issues), international organisation staff, civil society representative, academic, and professional from the private sector.
Learning outcomes
- Identify and use key instruments and principles of the law of transboundary aquifers
- Interpret and apply the legal instruments, principles and norms of international water law to prevent and settle water disputes
- Explain the current legal developments in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to the creation of instruments promoting equitable access and sustainable use of water resources
- Develop legal skills for the negotiation and implementation of freshwater agreements
- Promote cooperation and prevent conflicts arising from water use and the sharing of freshwater resources
Programme
7 online modules:
- Sources and Concepts of International Water Law (1 week)
- Evolution of International Regulation on Transboundary Water Resources (1 week)
- Principles of the Law on Transboundary Water Resources (Part I) (equitable and reasonable use, mechanisms to settle water disputes, etc.) (2 weeks)
- Principles of the Law on Transboundary Water Resources (Part II) (public participation, human right to water, international humanitarian law, etc.) (1 week)
- Law of Transboundary Aquifers (2 weeks)
- Water and International Economic Law (1 week)
- Final Simulation Exercise (1 week)
Wrap-up week (1 week)
Director(s)
Prof. Laurence BOISSON DE CHAZOURNES, Director of the Platform for International Water Law at the Geneva Water Hub, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva, Prof. Makane M. MBENGUE, Faculty of Law and Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, and Member of the Platform for International Water Law at the Geneva Water Hub, Dr Mara TIGNINO, Reader and Coordinator of the Platform for International Water Law at the Geneva Water Hub, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Partnership
Description
- Explaining the characteristics of international actors in the development of international water law.
- Defining the sources of international water law.
- Comparing diplomatic and judicial methods for settling international water disputes.
Description
- Analysing the key aspects and scope of the 1997 Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses and the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.
- Describing the activities of the League of Nations, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations in the development of international water law.
- Differentiating between the work of the International Law Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Description
- Examining the content of the principle of equitable and reasonable use, the obligation not to cause significant harm and the principle of cooperation.
- Discussing and providing examples of international judicial decisions dealing with international water law.
- Understanding the role and function of river basin organisations.
Description
- Explaining the role of water in international environmental law and human rights law.
- Defining and assessing the human right to water and sanitation.
- Identifying the norms on the protection of water during armed conflicts.
Description
- Understanding and analysing the principles applicable to the management and protection of transboundary aquifers.
- Examining and assessing the relationship between the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Transboundary Aquifers of 2008, the 1997 Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses and the Model Provisions on Groundwater Resources of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
- Identifying the main rules of the existing agreements on transboundary aquifers.
Description
- Understanding the linkages between water and international economic law.
- Differentiating between international trade law and international investment law.
- Defining the functions of amicus curiae in arbitrations dealing with water.
Description
Final collaborative simulation exercise.
Assessment
Pedagogical method
- A structured but mainly asynchronous modular e-learning course specially designed for professionals working on a full-time basis.
- An asynchronous approach allowing participants to have considerable flexibility by accessing contents and learning materials at any time.
- Synchronous group activities (webinars and live Q&A videoconferences) take place on the dates and times indicated in the course outline.
- A focus on theoretical and practical knowledge as well as hands-on experience with case studies.
- Interactive lessons, webinars, live Q&A sessions, thought-provoking videos and an updated audio-visual library.
- Strong collaborative activities such as peer-reviews and discussion groups to facilitate learning.
Admission criteria
- A recognized University degree (Bachelor,Master, Ph.D or equivalent)
- Two years of relevant professional experience related to the management and protection of water resources
- Fluency in English, particularly written and reading abilities
- Applicants must have a computer and a reliable internet connection for the programme duration.They must possess basic computer skills such as navigating the Internet and using Microsoft Word
- Applicants must submit a CV and a motivation letter explaining why the knowledge of international waterlaw is relevant to their work and how it will be applied to carry out their professional duties
- Applicants asking for partial or full scholarship have to explain the reasons for the request in their motivation letter
Steering committee
- Professor Laurence BOISSON DE CHAZOURNES, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
- Professor Makane M. MBENGUE, Faculty of Law and Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva
- Dr Mara TIGNINO, Platform for International Water Law and Geneva Water Hub, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva
Number of participants
Detailed fees
- The entire course costs CHF 900.-
- Full and partial scholarships are available for participants coming from non-OECD countries. Candidates asking for a partial or full scholarship have to explain the reasons for this request in their motivation letter.
Schedule
The course includes 6 thematic modules each one lasting one or two weeks and a 7th module consisting in the resolution of a case study.
The completion of the course corresponds to 4 ECTS credits equivalent to 120 learning and training hours.
A one-week module corresponds approximately to 12 hours of teaching and learning per week including audiovisual material and reading of legal texts and literature. Depending on the module, the participants will have between 3-4 hours of online activities (i.e. discussion forums, quiz, answers to case-studies, webinars, etc.) and an average of 8 hours of personal work (i.e. reading of legal texts and literature and preparation of online activities) per week.
A two-week module includes an average of 24 hours of learning and teaching.
The seventh module consists of about 10-12 hours of learning and teaching including the preparation of the final case study.
Sponsored by
“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.
“...this course is really helping me see things in a new light (...). I have learnt a lot and I am continuing to learn. I soon have to submit a memo to my director to show him the importance of IWL and the shortcomings of Togo in the domain.”
Richard Barry, Directorate of Water Resources, Togo.
“I found the course invaluable. It gave me the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of legal topics not only at a national level but also at a global scale. The provided materials and the interactive course design made easy to follow it. The moderator was always supportive and quickly replied to my questions”
Mohammad Daud Hamidi, MA Student in Integrated Water Resources Management, Afghanistan.
“All modules were interactive and included a comprehensive description of different legal instruments of selected types of issues that can occur between riparian stakeholders and those related to human security. The course has also helped me to understand better practical challenges of implementing international water law.”
Martina Kilmes, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Sweden.
"I suspect that there is something in this course for everyone. Those who do not have a legal background will come away with a solid understanding of how lawyers view this issue and perhaps a better understanding of why some things work the way they do. Those who do have a legal background, will be interested to learn about some of the technical aspects of hydrology and will likely learn about the state of transboundary water in an area--either geographic or thematic--that they knew little about. I personally have a legal background in this subject, but was fascinated to learn about how the law that I knew was applied in regions of the world I had not studied on my own. The experience helped to broaden and deepen my knowledge of the field and I suspect this would be true for most people."
Cory Olishansky, Legal Officer, Oceans and Environmental Law Division, Global Affairs, Canada.
Contribution to the SDGs