Important developments are currently taking place in international water law. The Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, the only truly global convention on international watercourses, finally enters into force. And all over the world, people are becoming aware of the importance of the sustainable utilization and management of shared water resources.  

In the first lecture and working group, students will familiarize themselves with the legal framework of international water law, including the principle of equitable and reasonable use of transboundary waters, and the no-harm rule. We will also briefly introduce the case study of week 3, and divide the perspectives and roles over the students, and explain the assignment to them. This allows the students to start drafting their memorial already in the first week.    
In the second week, these bedrock principles of international water law will be linked to sustainable development. We will look at the relationship between international water law and multilateral environmental agreements, as well as basic principles of sustainable development. How “green” is the Watercourses Convention and international water law?

In the third week, we will focus on a particular case study, a particular international watercourse, and apply what we discussed in weeks 1 and 2. The students all choose the perspective of one of the actors involved in the case study, and write a memorial. The students will also present the argumentation developed in their memorial in the form of oral pleadings.

Some further reading: