Geneva Water Hub: Massive Online Course (MOOC) on International Water Law now available in English

During the last decades, international law has undergone major developments seeking to take into account the multifaceted nature of freshwater management and protection. Adopting universal, regional and river-basin tools stresses the importance of studying the evolution of international regulations concerning water and identifying the main principles in this area. This course aims at providing the foundations required to examine and understand the rules applying to transboundary freshwater resources, especially to rivers, lakes and aquifers. It illustrates the legal principles and standards governing the use, sharing, management and protection of these resources. The MOOC is composed of 5 modules that can be visualized in any order, since each addresses a specific theme. Nevertheless, this order follows a defined educational logic, so as to facilitate the understanding of the course by people who are not familiar with the subject. An evaluation quiz accompanies each module. The MOOC will follow a unique path leading to a certificate for learners, with an average of over 80% on the quizzes.

This MOOC was originally created in French. It has English subtitles.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the challenges and opportunities related to the regulation of transboundary freshwater resources;
• Explain the evolution of international regulations relating to transboundary freshwater;
• Recall and interpret the principles and rules governing the management of water resources;
• Understand the role of dispute settlement mechanisms in the development of international water law and in the resolution of freshwater conflicts.

Partners:

The MOOC has been developed by the Geneva Water Hub’s Platform for International Water Law.  It is funded by the Global Water Programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and has been supported by the “MOOC’s Cellule” of the University of Geneva. Various international practitioners and experts have contributed to the course.

The MOOC is available on the Coursera Platform, at https://www.coursera.org/learn/international-water-law