Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/gestion-eau
In today’s world, water management faces unprecedented challenges, from the impacts of climate change to the consequences of human activities. Public and private sector professionals in this field require enhanced skills to effectively manage the entire water cycle. Coursera’s “Gestion et Politique de l’eau” (Water Management and Policy) course offers a comprehensive exploration of these critical issues.
This MOOC is designed to deepen your understanding of water governance challenges. It begins by defining what constitutes a resource, meticulously examining the various uses and pressures on water. Module 1, “From Resource Definition to Community Management Ideals,” delves into the concept of common-pool resources, drawing on Elinor Ostrom’s seminal work. It explores different management approaches, including state, market, and community-led systems, illustrated with case studies from Latin America. The module concludes with a quiz, contributing 20% to the final grade, requiring an 80% accuracy rate.
Module 2, “Resource Rules, Their Uses, and Circumvention,” focuses on the legal frameworks governing water management. It introduces the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to analyze property rights and public policies. Applying this to Swiss and European contexts, the module examines the intricacies of water management rules and explores strategies for rule implementation and localized regulatory arrangements. This module also culminates in a quiz worth 20% of the final grade.
Moving forward, Module 3, “From Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus,” addresses the intersectoral aspects of water resources. It highlights the principles of IWRM for coordinated management and introduces the Nexus approach, which considers water users and their interactions with other sectors. Case studies of the Mekong and Columbia Rivers illustrate the complexities of balancing diverse uses like hydropower, food security, and ecosystem protection. As with previous modules, a 20% quiz awaits.
Module 4, “Integrated Management by Watershed,” shifts the focus to the watershed as the fundamental unit for water management. It examines how this concept has been promoted at local (Switzerland), European (Rhine River), and international levels, discussing the practical and institutional advantages and limitations of watershed-based management. This module also includes a 20% quiz.
Finally, Module 5, “Water as a Factor of Conflict and Cooperation,” explores the dynamics of conflict and cooperation surrounding water resources. It introduces the theory of hydro-hegemony, using the Nile River basin as a case study to analyze relationships between riparian states. The module also presents institutional mechanisms for cooperation, such as river basin organizations (e.g., Senegal River Basin Development Organization, Mekong River Commission), and concludes with the role of international water law in fostering cooperation. This final module, like the others, features a 20% quiz.
Overall, “Gestion et Politique de l’eau” is an exceptionally well-structured and informative course. It provides a robust theoretical foundation coupled with practical, real-world examples, making complex water governance issues accessible. The case studies are particularly insightful, offering diverse perspectives on water management challenges and solutions. I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in water resource management, environmental policy, international development, or simply those interested in understanding one of the most critical resource challenges of our time.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/gestion-eau