Examining Water Challenges and Opportunities
From 9–16 July 2017, Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE), in collaboration with GWP Mediterranean, organized a Summer School on water in sustainable development at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Warsaw, Poland. The programme focused on current water challenges and opportunities, bringing together young professionals to strengthen their knowledge and skills in integrated water management.
A total of 23 MSc and PhD students from 13 countries—Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and Mongolia—participated in the Summer School. Their academic backgrounds ranged from natural sciences and engineering to geography, landscape ecology, and law, fostering interdisciplinary exchange.
Thematic Focus
Structured around the IWRM ToolBox Teaching Manual developed for university lecturers in 2017, the curriculum covered four main areas:
- IWRM and Water Governance – including law, policy, environmental economics, and sectoral planning
- Innovations – technical and non-technical solutions in urban and rural settings
- Climate Change – policy responses and adaptation to floods and droughts
- Social Aspects – communication, public participation, and stakeholder engagement
The combination of academic lecturers, practitioners, and representatives of international organizations provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights. Interactive sessions allowed participants to explore river basin management planning, discuss climate resilience, and develop innovative solutions to water-related challenges.
Youth Engagement and Networking
A dedicated session focused on youth participation in the water sector. Mentors from the Youth for Water and Climate initiative and Young Water Solutions guided discussions on youth inclusion in decision-making processes and shared experiences with youth-led initiatives.
As a result of these discussions, participants agreed to create a youth water community, providing a platform to exchange ideas and collaborate on addressing water challenges in their respective countries.
Building Skills for Future Decision-Makers
By exploring water issues from global, regional, and local perspectives, the Summer School strengthened participants’ understanding of integrated water management and enhanced their leadership and collaboration skills. The programme also encouraged networking and exchange among students from different universities and professional backgrounds.
Participant feedback highlighted the value of the experience, particularly in gaining comprehensive knowledge on integrated water management, developing collaboration skills, and building international connections among future water professionals.
About the Initiative
The GWP CEE Summer School aims to equip young professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge, practical experience, and opportunities for dialogue. The 2017 edition emphasized innovation, climate resilience, and youth engagement as key elements for sustainable water management.
