Boundaries and Water
Durham University, 12-14 July 2010
In one form or another, water – or the absence of water – plays a major role in nearly every international boundary setting. Three quarters of the world’s land boundaries follow rivers for at least part of their course, and many also pass through lakes and/or swamps, creating numerous practical boundary-making challenges. There are more than 260 international river basins and at least 273 transboundary aquifers, many of which are not being managed or shared responsibly. The effects of climate change pose even greater challenges for transboundary water management strategies. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in 2008: “The consequences for humanity are grave. Water scarcity threatens economic and social gains and is a potent fuel for wars and conflict.”
This innovative workshop is designed to assist governments in developing effective strategies for both the delimitation of international boundaries in fresh watercourses and the peaceful management of transboundary waters. It will highlight relevant international legal frameworks, and examine both good and bad state practice in addressing challenges such as: identifying boundaries in rivers, lakes and swamps; ensuring equitable navigational and non-navigational uses of international watercourses; and transboundary groundwater exploitation and management. the overall aim of the workshop is to provide a more coherent understanding of the relationship between international boundaries and fresh water so that more effective and durable strategies can be developed.
Price: £1,650 (including accommodation and meals)
Full programme details can be found below.
Tutors
Professor Paul Bishop,University of Glasgow
Dr John W. Donaldson, International Boundaries Research Unit
Professor Danny Donoghue, University of Durham
Ms Amy Hardberger, Environmental Defence Fund
Mr Martin Pratt, International Boundaries Research Unit
Mr Shammy Puri, International Association of Hydrogeologists
Dr Alistair Rieu-Clarke, University of Dundee
Ms Margit Säre, Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation
Programme
Monday 12 July
1) Introduction
2) Fresh Water systems and their complexity
- The fluvial system
- International catchments and basins
3) Groundwater and transboundary water usage
- Transboundary aquifers
- Strains on transboundary fresh water bodies
4) Transbounday water law
- Multilateral conventions
- Rights and responsibilities of upstream and downstream states
5) Practical exercise 1
Tuesday 13 July
6) Legal principles in river boundary definition
- Boundaries in navigable and non-navigable rivers
- Alternations in the course of boundary rivers
- Case law related to river boundaries
7) Interpreting terms in river boundary definition
- Channel dynamics
- Mekong river case study
8) Practical exercise 2
9) State practice and dispute resolution for water boundary problems
- Problems of identification and interpretation
- Managing alternative lines
- Mechanisms for third party dispute resolution
10) Estonia-Russia transboundary water management
- Bilateral cooperation and public participation
- Transboundary water management on Lake Peipsi/Chudskoe
Wednesday 14 July
11) Environmental pressures on transboundary water management
- Challenges to transboundary water management strategies
- Development of the Mexico-USA International Boundaries and Water Commission (IBWC)
12) Multilateral mechanisms for water management
- Organisation and role of multilateral/basin commissions
13) Monitoring and analysing freshwater change
- Use of remotely-sensed imagery
- Coordinating research
Administrative information
Cost
The cost of the workshop will be £1,650 per participant.
Fees for UK-based participants are normally subject to Value Added Tax at 17.5%. We regret that payment can only be accepted in £ sterling. However, we are able to accept payment by major credit and debit cards. Full payment must be received prior to the workshop to guarantee the booking.
In addition to tuition and all course materials, the fee covers the following:
- Accommodation in a single en-suite room for the nights of 11-13 July.
- Evening dinner on 11-13 July.
- Lunch and refreshment breaks on 12-14 July.
Reservations
To reserve a place on the workshop, please contact IBRU Events Team or use the online booking form
Venue
Workshop accommodation and teaching will be based at Collingwood College, which is part of Durham University.
Language
Teaching and workshop materials will be in English. We regret that we are unable to provide translation or interpretation services.
Cancellation
Cancellations must be received in writing not later than Friday 25 June 2010, and will be subject to a £50 cancellation fee unless a substitute participant is offered. After this date the full registration fee will apply. Substitutions for registered participants may be made at any time, but we would appreciate prior notification.
Programme changes
IBRU reserves the right to modify the programme as necessary, without notice to participants.
Travel to Durham
Full details of the venue, plus maps and travel information will be sent to all participants following registration. Online maps and travel information can be found here.
