“Water Conflict: Negotiations and Mediation" and “Decolonizing Water Diplomacy" Marks Successful Completion

Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), through its Water Diplomacy Center (WDC), successfully concluded two significant training events aimed at addressing pressing water diplomacy challenges in the Middle East. The two-week course on “Water Conflict: Negotiations and Mediation," held from November 3 to 11, 2024, was followed by the two-day workshop on “Decolonizing Water Diplomacy," conducted from November 12 to 13, 2024. Both events were delivered in collaboration with international academic and professional institutions, including IHE Delft (Netherlands) for the training course and Geneva Water Hub (Switzerland) for the workshop on decolonization  The training concluded on Thursday 14 November with a recognition ceremony where certificates of appreciation were awarded to the course instructors for their invaluable contributions, certificates of completion were presented to the participants for their active engagement, and certificates of appreciation were given to the Water Diplomacy Center's staff for their dedicated efforts in organizing the course.

These events, hosted under the Blue Peace Middle East Capacity Development Project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), brought together 27 participants from Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Iran. Among them were researchers, engineers, and diplomats, as well as eight WDC Master's students from the program's inaugural cohort of 2024.

The first week of the course offered a comprehensive dive into conflict negotation, negotiation, and mediation strategis, focusing on shared water resource management. Participants engaged in lectures, case studies, and interactive group activities designed to bridge theoretical frameworks with real-world applications.

The training featured interactive simulations, such as the Concordia Game and Lego Serious Water Game, led by Dr. Alexander Jacob Meland (IHE Delft), Dr. Mohd Faizee, and Dr. Ana Elisa Cascão, which allowed participants to explore future water cooperation scenarios and apply innovative problem-solving techniques. Dr. Faizee further enriched the program by presenting key strategies for resolving transboundary water disputes through case studies from the MENA region. Additionally, the training emphasized the alignment of water diplomacy frameworks with Sustainable Development Goal 6.5, providing participants with practical tools for negotiation and highlighting the workshops' overarching focus on achieving SDGs 6 and 5.

By the end of the first week, participants had gained critical skills in negotiation and mediation, explored geopolitical dynamics, and applied conflict negotiation strategies tailored to regional water challenges.

The second week transitioned to exploring the role of equity and identity in water governance and diplomacy through a focused two-day workshop titled “Decolonizing Water Diplomacy." Led by a team of distinguished scholars, this workshop introduced participants to decolonial perspectives in water governance, moving beyond traditional security-peace oriented approaches to challenge the dominant narratives by exploring rich, often overlooked regional philosophies that can be instrumental today.

The workshop addressed critical issues in water governance and diplomacy through thought-provoking sessions and activities. Dr. Mohsen Nagheeby (Newcastle University) explored the transition from security-peace-focused diplomacy to equity-identity-based frameworks in his lecture on decolonizing water governance, complemented by a hands-on policy lab exercise that empowered participants to draft actionable policies for decolonizing water diplomacy in the Jordan River and Euphrates-Tigris Basins. Dr. Muna Dajani (London School of Economics) examined the challenges of water access in Palestine under occupation, advocating for community-driven solutions, while Dr. Olivia Mason (Newcastle University) emphasized the value of indigenous environmental knowledge in addressing colonial legacies in water governance. Additionally, Dr. Hussam Hussein (Oxford University)enriched the program by addressing topics central to equitable and sustainable water governance in the MENA region. Dr Alex Meland (IHE Delft) explored the risks of neo-colonialism in agri-business alliances and Public-Private Partnerships, and Dr Lata Narayanaswamy (University of Leeds) joined online to critically reflect on the relationship between (neo)colonialism, development, and embedded knowledge.

Participants left the workshop with a deeper understanding of the coloniality of water governance, practical tools for developing equitable water policies, and strategies for integrating indigenous knowledge into water diplomacy.

 The Water Diplomacy Center's education, capacity-building, and research pillars were prominently showcased throughout the training and workshop. By offering transformative learning experiences, the WDC reaffirms its role as a regional hub for fostering cooperation, advancing professional skills, and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

These events also underscore the Center's broader mission to strengthen regional collaboration. With aspirations to expand its reach to North Africa, the WDC continues to empower future leaders in water diplomacy, equipping them with the tools and perspectives necessary to address the region's critical water challenges.