Ecopolitics traversing Waterbodies - Tales & Epistemologies Influencing Water Governance

Event Overview:
Water, a vital common ground, central to life on Earth and to the survival and prosperity of human societies and all species. As climate change, pollution, and overexploitation increasingly threaten water ecosystems, the need for inclusive and sustainable water governance is literally vital. Our panel discussion will immerse into the complexities of water politics, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives and decolonial perspectives in shaping sustainable governance of water bodies.

What to Expect:
Participants will engage in an insightful discussion with experts in the field of water eco-politics, governance and education. The panel will explore which narratives influence water management practices, with a special focus on how decolonial approaches can broaden our understanding and inform more equitable solutions.

Key Themes:

• Diverse Narratives: How different cultural, social, and political stories shape our approach to water bodies.
• Decolonial & Diverse Perspectives: Challenging Western-centric and academic views by shifting focus to incorporating indigenous and local knowledge into water governance.
• Inclusive Governance: The role of various stakeholders, from governments to NGOs local communities and indigenous organisations, in achieving sustainable and just relationship to water bodies.

Interactive Element:
As part of the event, attendees will participate in a creative co-writing exercise. Contributions from the audience on their experiences or insights related to water bodies will be compiled into a collective piece of text, which will be shared and read aloud towards the end of the session. This activity will highlight the value of collective storytelling in addressing complex issues.

Why Attend?
This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of environmental science, politics, ecopolitics and cultural narratives of which we are all part. Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, or concerned citizen, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in water governance—and with new perspectives on how to contribute to a sustainable relationship to water bodies in particular and to the environment at large.