Agenda

Animesh Gain, Department of Economics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice

Abstract: The problems of transboundary water conflicts are shaped by interactions of many natural, societal and political elements. They are complex and wicked in nature and characterized by interconnectedness, feedback, emergence and uncertainty of variables, processes, actors and institutions. Conventional scientific approaches, which are inappropriate to address them, need to be replaced by new modes of inquiry requiring integration across disciplines. There is an urgent need to move towards managing value-difference rather than value-based. In managing them science alone is not sufficient, but neither is policy-making that does not consider science. We analyse the transboundary water conflicts through the lens of complexity science, mainly through social-ecological system approaches. We develop a negotiated approach that blends science and policy – Water Diplomacy – for resolving the boundary crossing complex problems. Specifically, we investigate two broader questions: what are the interaction and feedback of human-nature components of transboundary water conflicts? And how the conflicting outcomes be resolved through engaging stakeholders? We investigate these questions, for the Ganges-Brahmaputra river basin.

The seminar can be attended also remotely, connecting to ZOOM: https://unive.zoom.us/j/86216198128 - Meeting ID 862 1619 8128