Water for Peace and Development: SCI PhD student attends World Water Forum

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Drawing on her experiences at the conference as well as her own research Chantal encourages an approach that uses water resources as a tool of engagement for the broader goal of peace and stability and advocates women’s leadership for better water management. Read the full blog here.

With the support of the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) at the University of Manchester, SCI PhD student Chantal Victoria Bright had the opportunity to attend the 9th World Water Forum (WWF) in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2022.

Chantal V. Bright is a first-year SCI PhD candidate in Human Geography and researches “Water Security, Peace and Fragility in Liberia” through an African ecofeminist approach. The SCI researches the social relationships that hinder change, as well as those that might enable the transition to greater sustainability. Underpinning such analyses is the recognition that greater environmental sustainability requires improved social justice and increased democratic participation.

One emerging theme of the WWF that was water diplomacy —an approach that uses water resources as a tool of engagement for the broader goal of peace and stability and advocates women’s leadership for better water management. Since women are most impacted by water problems, there must be a path forward for women’s leadership in high-level decision-making processes on water and peace. The conference discussions reinforced Chantal Bright’s commitment and focus on her research, which seeks to contribute to the solution of practical water problems in Liberia and elsewhere.

If you are interested in hearing more about Chantal Bright’s research and hear from experts in the field please sign up for the SCI’s online seminar led by Chantal on water security, peace and sustainability on 2^nd November from 2pm to 3.30pm (BST). Free tickets are available on Eventbrite.