Water Security – Debating an Emerging Concept

The World Water Congress XV, organised by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), takes place in Edinburgh from 25-29 May 2015.

Water security will be debated in two special sessions co-organised by the University of East Anglia Water Security Research Centre, and IWSN partners University of the West of England and University of Arizona.

Water Security – Debating an Emerging Concept
Joint Special Session (SS20 & SS21): Tuesday 26 May 10.30 – 12.00 (Lowther), 14.45 – 18.15 (Menteith)
Please join us for a three-part Special Session exploring emerging conceptualisations of water security with leading academics and practitioners. Our presenters will address the question: how do we move beyond reductive understandings that emphasise ‘volumetric’ sufficiency? We suggest that more progressive pathways to water security may be found by exploring the politics that perpetuate unequal relationships over water, and through direct engagement with water systems and governance arrangements.

The session will consider the following core elements of the debate through introductory and keynote presentations, panel discussions, and audience Q&As:

Part I (10.30-12.00):
The global water security challenge (Chair: Christopher Scott, Professor and Distinguished Scholar, University of Arizona, Udall Centre for Studies in Public Policy/School of Geography & Development)

Part II (14.45-16.15):
Water Security and competing discourses (Chair: Chad Staddon, Professor of Resource Economics and Policy, University of the West of England, FET – Geography and Environmental Management)

Part III (16.45-18.15):
The future of water security (Chair: Bruce Lankford, Professor of Water and Irrigation Policy, School of International Development, University of East Anglia)

More detailed summaries of the special sessions found here (SS20 and SS21): http://worldwatercongress.com/special-sessions/