In the week from 26 to 29 October 2020 I had the pleasure to facilitate a workshop in Water Diplomacy, organized by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The workshop included negotiation training, power mapping, insights in legal background and of course many discussions about International River Basins and water related challenges. Participants […]
Even though Switzerland is one of the most water rich and peaceful countries in the world, we have a long history of conflict and cooperation about water. In particular in the dry parts of Switzerland, where farmers rely on irrigation such as in the Canton of Wallis, there are numerous examples of water allocation schemes […]
Even most bureaucratic cooperation is a little bit like a romantic relationship. It involves love, hate, drama, happiness, success, and daily life. And every romance starts with a first contact. It could be to meet at the petrol station, the read of an article or dating on the internet.Places and circumstances where we meet for […]
Through art we bring people together to reflect and discuss about water – An initiative for the Middle East. The social, political, and sectarian landscape in the Arab world is highly complex. Conflicts on various levels are no surprise. Among many other reasons, water contributes to more challenges in the region: Water, in terms of […]
Despite many differences, poverty, and war: Lebanese society manages again and again to find a way of a peaceful coexistence. Especially during christmas and when celebrating religious holidays – many of the sects have ceremonies together. Article in German for “Luzerner Zeitung” by Lucas Beck. 2016.12.24 LZ-Wenn Religionen zusammenleben
The society in Lebanon features a high diversity including religious and political aspects as well as a very complex class and tribal system. The Lebanese state has been relying on consociation demography regarding the political system since its independency in 1943. Lebanese society accommodates a high plurality and ensures that all voices of communities are […]
The conflict landscape in the Middle East is primarily determined by religion and oil. So far, and in recent disputes, water has been a very minor issue. However, the past of the region features a very old history with regard to conflicts about water sharing. The project explores current practices with regard to handling conflict, […]
The environment in South Sudan is shaped by the fate of long war and conflict. Since the peace agreement in 2005, followed by referendum in October 2010 and the birth of the Republic of South Sudan in 2011, the country is struggling in their progress towards sustained peace, security, development, and prosperity. In this rather complex […]
Lucas Beck discusses about security issues on water at the OSCE Security Days 2014 on a panel together with Parviz Davlatzoda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan; Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chairperson of the Finnish party of the Joint Finnish-Russian Commission on the Utilization of Frontier Waters; Li […]
Lucas Beck and Tobias Siegfried received the Hans Erni price, worth CHF 50’000, for their innovative work in the field of water solutions. The price was handed over by the President of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger. According to the price-winners, the money will help to further expand business of their start-up ‘hydrosolutions’. For press coverage […]