Food and Water Security
Executive Certificate
The global food and water security challenge is
currently one of the greatest concerns among world
leaders. Understanding and learning the importance
of a healthy environment, where food and water have
a paramount importance for the quality of life of our
families, are keys to the future of our planet.
Sustainable use of water resources and local and
global food supply chains are relevant to the 2030 UN
Sustainable Development Goals.
The Food and Water Security Certificate
will offer participants an opportunity to
analyze one of today’s foremost human
security
challenges;
namely
the
prevention of malnutrition and the
access to safe food and clean drinking
water. Webster University Geneva’s
Department of International Relations is
proud to offer an important executive
education certificate.
Population growth, climate change, and
economic development place increasing
challenges on food systems and on
finite supplies of freshwater resources.
Water is an essential resource for public
health, agriculture, food security,
livelihoods, energy generation and
industrial production: essential, but not
inexhaustible. If water consumption
continues at the current rate then the
global shortfall will rise to 40% in the
years ahead, where only a small quantity
(2.53%) is freshwater that can be used
for human activities. The global state of
SUMMER COURSE 2017:
8 DAYS OVER 2 WEEKS
JUNE 19-22, 2017
JUNE 26-29, 2017
MONDAY THROUGH
THURSDAY (4PM -8PM)
EARN 3 ECTS CREDITS
CHF 2’000
hunger and malnutrition remains
concerning; approximately one billion
people are hungry, two billion lack
sufficient nutrients, and over two billion
are overweight or obese. Knowledge of
international principles and norms that
govern the use, management and
protection of freshwater resources and
understanding of food nutrition and
health related challenges are necessary
for promoting sustainable development,
tackling malnutrition and fostering
equitable use and effective protection
of water resources.
Participants will be introduced to
multidisciplinary perspectives on water,
food, nutrition, and health and learn
from a wide range of case studies
presented by researchers conducting
first-hand and innovative research in
these areas. The course seeks to offer
a comprehensive overview of the main
practical, humanitarian, economic and
legal issues related to the aspects of
food and water security, or better human
security. Topics will be covered using a
theoretical approach complemented by
practical exercises designed to test the
participants’ ability to find outcomeoriented solutions. A field experience is
necessary, but not compulsory to apply
what is learned in the classroom. The
course will be corroborated by at least
two guest lecturers from IOs and NGOs
dealing with food and water security as
well as from the International Committee
of the Red Cross. A visit to the SIG and
Nestlé’s Alimentarium will complete the
program of the certificate.
Aims and Objectives
This course is designed for students,
academics, and practitioners interested
in gaining knowledge on water and food
security as well as nutrition and health
in low and middle-income countries.
The certificate will cover four key areas:
• Food and nutrition security, healthrelated challenges and economic growth
in low and middle-income countries
(LMICs);
• Changing Food Systems: definitions,
challenges and future scenarios;
• International water law with an
analysis of global, regional and basin
agreements;
• Access to clean drinking water.
The Certificate provides exposure on
fundamental debates in policy making
and stimulates critical thinking. It takes
an interdisciplinary approach that
includes international law, political
economy and nutritional science (prior
courses in economics or law are not
necessary).
On successful completion of the
certificate, a participant should be able
to demonstrate the ability to:
• Be aware of the critical food-nutritionand-health-related challenges facing
low- and middle-income countries;
• Be aware of some of the major
patterns of change that food systems
are undergoing and identify ways in
which said changes shape global
challenges;
• Be aware of the challenges on water
scarcity and the human right to water;
• Assess the legal developments and
trends shaping the management and
protection of trans-boundary water
resources;
• Identify the mechanisms to prevent
and settle water conflicts;
Webster University - Geneva Campus
15, Route de Collex
1293 Bellevue
Switzerland
• Critically engage with policy options to
tackle malnutrition and scarce or zero
access to clean water in low- and
middle-income countries.
“Webster is one of the very few
u n iversit ies t h a t c a n t e a c h
international relations in a city
which serves as a meeting place for
world leaders, diplomats and business
executives.”
Oreste Foppiani
Ph.D., International Relations
­Department Head
Participant Profile
This program is open to graduate
students, mid-career professionals and
International and Nongovernmental
Organization personnel involved in
furthering the common good. Candidates
should hold a Bachelor degree and a
certified knowledge of the English
language.
Faculty
Dr. Oreste Foppiani, Head of the
Department of International Relations,
Webster University Geneva
Dr. Mara Tignino, Senior Lecturer,
Geneva Water Hub, Faculty of Law,
University of Geneva
Ms. Fiorella Picchioni, Ph.D. Candidate
and Researcher, SOAS, University of
London
Request further information:
www.webster.ch
Admissions: +41(0)22 959 80 80
[email protected]