Everywhere in the world communities and nations organize themselves in relation to water. We divert water from rivers, lakes, and aquifers to our homes, workplaces, irrigation canals, and hydro-generating stations. We use it for bathing, swimming, recreation, and it functions as a symbol of purity in ritual performances. In order to facilitate and manage our relationship with water, we develop institutions, technologies, and cultural practices entirely devoted to its appropriation and distribution, and through these institutions we construct relations of class, gender, ethnicity, and nationality.
“Water and Society” examine the issues of water from social sciences lens. The series of events focus on the central role of water in human society, with themes of inequality, management, ethics, conflict, health, and climate disruption. It further explores the impacts of commodification, urbanization, industry, and technology on the availability and quality of water supplies. Each event speaks to a set of issues, but the overall perspective is global, with representation from all continents.
The world will continue to suffer from pollution, natural disasters, and resource conflict. “Water and Society” events are intended to benefit “The Peoples” – in governments, private sector, international community, and the public- not only in skill-building but also in facing contemporary challenges.
