By Marie-Theres Cieslik

“We can work towards a better future – we just have to envision it today.”

With those words, hydrologist Irena Creed summarized the overall spirit of the GDL’s Water Diplomacy Lab.

From June 14^th to June 16^th 2022, the Global Diplomacy Lab hosted the Incubator Lab for “Water Diplomacy 4.0: Process Matters” in Berlin. Organised by Kathryn Bryk Friedman, the Lab concerned itself with questions of modern diplomacy and issues of providing adequate freshwater resources for people and ecosystems in the 21st century.

GDL Members and experts from different fields of diplomacy and science met to discuss the issue of transboundary waters, their fair, sustainable usage and the problems and conflicts they can incite between states. Through discussions, site visits and group work, members had the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn diplomatic tools and engage in an innovative problem-solving process. The perfect balance between scientific background information and diplomatic experience helped facilitate an engaging exchange which led to a new perspective on the topic of transboundary water.

“If we build trust among actors, water security concerns can be resolved. Diplomacy gives up the toolkit to do so in a peaceful manner.” (GDL Member participating in the Lab)

Through the reflection upon various case studies, the importance of context and relationship between actors became apparent. Members agreed that effective water diplomacy relies on empathy and trust built between the people involved. This is particularly challenging in contexts where states already face political tensions. However, members agreed that through mediation, respectful treatment of each other and empathetic understanding for every perspective’s concerns, sustainable and equally beneficial ways of water distribution can be found.

“We can work towards a better future – we just have to envision it today.” (Hydrologist Irena Creed)

Moreover, Lab participants came to one startlingly simple realization: The world is changing.
Assumptions made about water security today might not hold true tomorrow. On the other hand, conflicts that exist today can also be resolved in the future. This offers as much hope for the future as it causes uncertainty of what is to come. By using scientific tools like scenario analysis, predictions about future developments gain another dimension of certainty. This dimension can then be incorporated into water diplomatic efforts. By relying on facts and truths, diplomacy can effectively serve as a mediator in conflicts surrounding transboundary waters.

“We need to aim high and see where we end up along the way.” (GDL Member participating in the Lab)

Problems surrounding accessible freshwater and sustainable water distribution will remain a challenge for years to come. Driven by the ambitions of the other participants, GDL members and scientist were confident that this challenge can be met with effective solutions. Hopefulness and confidence in a better tomorrow made participants look forward to the upcoming Impact Lab in Slovenia this August. Inspired by each other’s ideas and drive for change, members agreed that this issue is too important to wait until then. Until August, three more meetings will be taking place to take stock of progress and discuss how to efficiently move forward towards achieving a future with sustainable, fair water resources in regions with transboundary waters.

Published on June 17, 2022.

Photo credit: Aleksandar Domitrica