The Blue Peace Central Asia initiative of the Swiss Agency on Development and Cooperation, implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), aims to transform the concept of water as a potential source of conflict into a tool for peaceful cooperation. The mandate of the initiative is based on promoting water as a factor contributing to sustainable regional socio-economic development and stability, as well as strengthening the region's resilience to current and future challenges.
In the last decade, a more comprehensive direction of environmental peacebuilding (often also referred to as environmental peacebuilding) has emerged and is actively developing, which explores and supports environmental protection and cooperation on natural resource management as a basis for building more peaceful relations between neighboring countries as well as conflicting parties. Its interdisciplinary approach integrates natural resource management with conflict prevention, mitigation, resolution, and recovery to build resilience in conflict-affected communities.
The effort to strengthen international environmental cooperation is reflected in the developed Geneva Water Hub training course supported by Blue Peace together with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
The training to be held in Geneva from 25 to 29 September 2023 focuses on an in-depth study of the theoretical foundations, legal frameworks, and challenges associated with environmental peacebuilding, taking into account recent legal developments.
The main objectives of the course include understanding and explaining how natural resources and the environment can influence armed conflicts and vice-versa; assessing the various components of peacebuilding, including the environmental dimensions in conflict and post-conflict situations; evaluating the legal frameworks relevant to environmental peacebuilding; and; identifying and discussing the challenges and opportunities encountered in environmental peacebuilding.
The interactive methodology of the training course will include lectures and panel discussions with a wide range of experts, as well as practical examples and case studies. This approach facilitates an active exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge among participants, providing a thorough understanding of the conceptual and legal frameworks as well as the strategies required for effective environmental peacebuilding.
The training course will contribute to the development of a global community of practitioner-researchers and decision-makers in the field of environmental peacebuilding, as well as provide unique opportunities to share experiences and knowledge with colleagues and experts from around the world to develop effective strategies and perspective approaches to environmental peacebuilding to sustaining peace in different regions.
The course is aimed at militaries, law enforcement officers, international crisis management civilian personnel, and diplomats.
Selection criteria are a Master's degree, at least 2 years of experience in environmental peacebuilding, and excellent English language skills.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia provides 15 scholarships that cover travel, accommodation, meals in Geneva, and tuition fees.
Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate of participation from the Geneva Water Hub and will also receive access to the Geneva Water Hub Alumni Network, providing opportunities to participate in special online and in-person events.
Information about the training in English can be found here (pdf)
Applications for the course will be accepted via the online form at the link:
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact Mr. Tadesse Moges Kebebew at tkebebew@genevawaterhub.org.
For reference:
The global Swiss initiative Blue Peace refers to water cooperation between countries, sectors, and generations, with the aim of shaping peace, stability, and sustainable development. The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), through its regional initiative Blue Peace CA, aims to make water a powerful tool for peacebuilding, reducing its role as a source of tension and discord, thus contributing to the sustainability and well-being of the region.