Knowledge for avoiding water crises
Background
According to the WEF Davos Global Risk Report, water scarcity represents the greatest global risk. Water is especially scarce in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, therefore good governance of this resource is central. Cross-border river basins face a variety of environmental, social and economic challenges that affect hydropolitical relations beyond national borders. Providing knowledge on sustainable water and land management and governance is therefore essential. This knowledge feeds into negotiation, planning, implementation and conflict resolution to achieve an equitable distribution of benefits, sustainable livelihoods, and the long-term conservation of water-related environmental services.
Objective
The goal of the project is to build up open-access knowledge platforms in the Horn of Africa and East Africa to provide water relevant data and information from various sectors to relevant stakeholders. This knowledge will then be processed into tailor-made products for sustainable decision-making and political processes at local, regional, national and transnational level.
Expected Benefits
- In partner country: The project promotes solutions to a conflict-free approach to water management and governance in the Horn of Africa and East Africa.
- In Switzerland: By improving the local living conditions, Switzerland will contribute in reducing rural exodus in the settings chosen. Both, improving living standards in areas that are currently inhospitable and accumulating knowledge on sustainable water use and management and governance will benefit Europe and Switzerland in the long-term, facing the same threats.
Contact Information
Isabel Providoli, , phone: +41 31 631 88 22
Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern
