NATO ARW on environmental security: water security, management and control

In recent years there has been a growing need for the development of tools forenvironmental security assessment and for the management of environmentalsecurity issues. In this context, emerging risks about water resources and theirrelationship with more general environmental security concerns are particularlyrelevant. The assessment of critical environmental factors is a necessary step for theprevention of conflict. These factors, especially in most of the African continent,have been identified in land use practices, deforestation, water scarcity, and waterquality.The three-day ARW will explore different aspects of the environmental securityassessment process, focusing on the assessment, monitoring and management ofresources, with an overview of the related scientific knowledge.The workshop is organised into sessions covering specific topics. Scientific sessionswill begin with an outlook of the emerging risks, seen from the point of view ofexperts in law and environmental rights, will go through the discussion of large scaleand local scale monitoring frameworks, and will include an overview of existingmethods and technologies for the identification of water resources, qualityassessment and treatment. A session about selected case studies completes thescientific program of the ARW.The idea to split the ARW into several short and sequential scientific sessions derivesfrom the concept to provide an overview, which, although not exhaustive, will permitcoverage of a wide range of interconnected topics which are critical to bothscientists and policymakers.In order to facilitate the networking among participants, the simulation of ahypothetical water security problem completes this three-day program. Thesimulation will engage participants to work interactively on a problem-solvingexercise, by assembling cross-disciplinary groups, in order to enhance networkingand collegiality among participants.The final wrap-up phase of this ARW is intended to involve scientists, professionalsand invited policymakers (government officials and stakeholders) in a discussion ofhow to promote a better link between relevant Parties. After resuming the mainoutcomes of the Scientific Sessions by the Rapporteurs, a final roundtable will takeplace.The format of this roundtable will be kept flexible and open to the contribution ofevery participant or invited auditor. This will be an opportunity for showingactivities, programs, project ideas or stimulate some discussion on shared topics,connected with the development of the Workshop. To promote this additionalnetworking opportunity, all the interested people are invited to actively participate inthis session.