Third Annual Symposium on Water in Israel and the Middle East

Northwestern University hosted the Third Annual Symposium on Water in Israel and the Middle East on May 15, focusing on “Transboundary Disputes and Collaborative Solutions.”

The event was presented by the Northwestern Center for Water Research and the Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.

Introductions were made by Jay Walsh, Northwestern vice president for research, and the symposium co-chairs were Elie Rekhess and Aaron Packman, who examined ways experts find sustainable solutions to water challenges.

Speakers at the first session in the morning include Sera Young, assistant professor, anthropology and global health, discussing “The Economic, Health, and Psychosocial Consequences of Household Water Insecurity;” Gidon Bromberg, Israeli co-director, EcoPeace Middle east, addressing “Water Diplomacy and National Security: the Case of Israel;” and Jenny R. Kehl, endowed professor for water policy, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, discussing “Is Water Security a Threat Multiplier or Catalyst for Cooperation in Intractable Political-Economic Conflicts?” 

The second session included Alon Tal, professor and chair of the department of public policy at Tel Aviv University, discussing “The Perils and Potential of a Panacea: Sustainability Challenges in the Desalination Era;” Munqeth Meyhar, Jordanian co-director, EcoPeace Middle East, talking about “Advancing a Water/Renewable Energy Exchange for Middle East Water and Energy Security;” and Michael Tiboris, global water fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, addressing “Subnational Water Conflict and the Turbid Future of Hydropolitics.”

Learn more about the speakers at the symposium.