Description
On 14 July, the “Kura-Araks Youth for Water and Peace” project was launched. The project is initiated and implemented by the Country Water Partnership Armenia and the European Youth Parliament for Water EYPW – a youth network supported by the International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe.
The goal of the project is to develop long-lasting cooperation on sustainable water management and river ecosystem protection between youth of Kura-Araks River basin and to foster the process of reconciliation through local small-scale initiatives. The newly established “Kura-Araks Youth Network” will mobilize the youth to work together to tackle common basin problems, with the guidance of mentors and experts. The cooperation over water will contribute to building more environmentally conscious societies, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution around water.
The workshop of the project “Connecting Kura-Araks River Basin Youth for Water and Peace” gathered around 30 young water specialists from the basin countries Armenia, Georgia and Turkey in Batumi, Georgia for 4 days. The opening ceremony was held in the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University.
In the opening speech, Mrs Tamar Siradze, professor, Deputy Rector of the university welcomed the participants of the workshop and expressed the university’s commitment to support youth empowerment in the environmental and water management sectors. Mrs Arevik Hovsepyan, the president of the Country Water Partnership Armenia, thanked all partners and encouraged the participants to discuss and propose new ideas for the joint management of the water resources of Kura-Araks River basin.
“History shows that cooperation and peacefulness are the most acceptable ways of managing transboundary water resources. Creating opportunities for cooperation can help build mutual respect, understanding and trust between countries, and can promote peace, security, and sustainable development”. Arevik Hovsepyan, president of the Country Water Partnership Armenia
Indeed, 40% of the world’s population live in transboundary basins, accounting for an estimated 60% of global freshwater flow. The shared water resources support the livelihoods of more than 3 billion people.
Mrs Antonella Cagnolati, the president of the International Secretariat for Water, mentioned : “Young people must be placed at the heart of the work in preserving and managing the shared waters, because they are directly concerned and their role must be recognized for effective cooperation to achieve equitable development, peace and stability. We support all efforts to reinforce youth understanding of the aspects associated with transboundary waters and to broaden their capacities on transboundary water management practices.”
The invited experts from Switzerland, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey had presentations on the state of water resources in the Kura-Araks River basin countries, the international law and policy for water basin management, water diplomacy, water conflicts and their transformation, game theory for transboundary rivers negotiations.
The project is financially supported by the Global Water Partnership and the International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe.
The project was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
Country Water Partnership NGO is a representative of the international network of Global Water Partnership in Armenia. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global action network with over 3,000 partner organizations in 179 countries. GWP’s VISION is a water secure world. The MISSION of the organization is to advance governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development. One of the main directions of the GWP Strategy developed for 2020-2025 is transboundary water resources management.
Country Water Partnership (CWP) in Armenia was founded in 2005. CWP aims to mobilize national potential in the water sector, support the principles of integrated water resources management and the introduction and implementation of innovative technical solutions, ensuring public participatory strengthening in the process.
The European Youth Parliament for Water – EYPW aims to promote youth involvement in the water sector by supporting the inclusion of young people in water governance, by increasing their awareness of water resource management issues, by fostering understanding of citizenship and democracy, by building strong ties among youth and between generations in Europe and beyond.
The International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe is the founder of the EYPW and have been working with young people for over 20 years – currently mobilizing more than 15 000 young people in many regions, empowering them as vectors of dialogue in watersheds such as the SyrDarya, the Senegal River or the Oregon River.
Slideshow Items
