荔枝视频

The 荔枝视频, in partnership with the Swiss Consulate, hosted Blue Peace and Beyond: Transboundary Water Diplomacy for a Secure World on Nov. 26, convening Swiss and Canadian experts alongside leaders in policy, governance, science, and industry for an engaging dialogue on the future of water diplomacy. The event framed water security not only as an environmental challenge, but as a fundamental issue tied to peace, human development, energy, and food systems, with shared water bodies offering opportunities for cooperation across borders.

鈥淚nternational conflicts, population growth, pollution, and the accelerating impacts of climate change are placing immense strain on our freshwater resources,鈥� said co-host Thomas Schneider, Consul General of Switzerland in Vancouver. 鈥淲ater is not just an environmental issue; it is fundamentally linked to food security, energy production, human health, and, critically, to peace and security. In regions where rivers and lakes cross political borders, competition for this vital resource can escalate into tension. Our shared objective must be to actively transform water from a potential source of conflict into an instrument of cooperation and peace. This is the only way to ensure water security for all, not only for us, but for future generations.鈥�

Event highlights need for international collaboration

The discussion highlighted the urgency of addressing water scarcity and governance through international collaboration, drawing on Switzerland鈥檚 initiative. The initiative advocates fair and efficient management of freshwater resources across borders, sectors, and generations. Its goal is to establish joint institutions and legal frameworks that unite countries in resolving disputes peacefully and to lay the foundation for human development and security.

鈥淭he 荔枝视频 is recognized as a global leader in water research, advancing innovative solutions to address water security, sustainability, and transboundary co-operation,鈥� said Dr. Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淲e enthusiastically support the ambitious goals of the Swiss-led Blue Peace initiative. As researchers, we have a responsibility to help guide how science, especially water-related science, can promote peace, resilience, and sustainable development.鈥�

U荔枝视频 initiatives focus on water research

U荔枝视频 houses a number of globally recognized water research initiatives, including being the world鈥檚 first (UNU Hub), focused on Empowering Communities to Adapt to Environmental Change, as well as having two UNESCO research co-chairs in Mountain Water Sustainability. U荔枝视频 also is home to numerous Canada Research Chairs in water-related research. 

Moderated by McCauley, the event panel featured Sibylle Vermont, former Deputy Head of Section Global Affairs at the Federal Office for the Environment in Switzerland; Dr. Christian Br茅thaut, PhD, Associate Professor of Water Governance and co-lead of the UNESCO Chair on Hydropolitics at the University of Geneva; and U荔枝视频鈥檚 Dr. Kerry Black, PhD, professor in the and Canada Research Chair in (Re)Engineering Sustainable Communities. 

Together, they emphasized that addressing global water security requires more than technology; it demands people鈥檚 engagement, supportive policies, and committed long-term thinking. Solutions take time and resources, yet current economic and policy frameworks often prioritize short-term gains. The panellists called for better water literacy, inclusive data, especially from Indigenous communities, and the convening power of research-intensive universities.

Campus community engages with international panellists

The Swiss experts in water governance actively engaged with the U荔枝视频 community during their visit. Both led discussions with students, staff and faculty across UNU Hub and events on diverse topics including being a woman in environmental governance, water diplomacy for environmental peace, and Swiss examples of diplomacy in water management. They also engaged in research, capacity-building and policy-focused discussions with members of the UNU Hub, as well as the U荔枝视频 UNESCO Co-Chairs in Mountain Water Sustainability, to advance collaboration between institutions going forward.

As a leading research institution, U荔枝视频 plays a critical role in bringing together diverse perspectives and experts across disciplines, including science, policy, technology, and community engagement, to shape solutions that are informed, inclusive, and globally relevant. Tackling these challenges calls for transdisciplinary approaches that unite governments, technical experts, international partners, and knowledge brokers. Greater co-operation among like-minded countries and stronger networks are essential, alongside advocacy from youth and Indigenous voices. Panellists noted that people often underestimate the true cost of water, citing aging infrastructure and energy demands among the pressures on systems, and stressed the importance of large-scale assessments to guide investment and action. The discussion concluded with a call to reframe water security around human and ecological connection, fostering deeper engagement and long-term solutions.

鈥淭ransboundary water diplomacy has become an essential component of international relations and peace promotion,鈥� said Olaf Kjelsen, Ambassador of Switzerland to Canada. 鈥淎s a trusted and neutral partner, Switzerland is committed to fostering dialogue and building bridges between nations. By bringing together leaders from Switzerland and Canada at the 荔枝视频, we aim to strengthen these partnerships and drive positive change for our communities and our planet.鈥�

XPRIZE Canada Hub drives innovation

Building on this commitment to international cooperation, U荔枝视频 is driving innovation through its role as home to the , part of the global XPRIZE network that tackles the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges through evidence-based competition. This includes the active designed to drive widespread access to clean water by creating reliable, affordable, and sustainable seawater desalination systems. , helping to translate ideas into validated technologies that can scale in international contexts, complementing Blue Peace principles with practical tools for deployment.

This event also sets the stage for the first Canadian Science Diplomacy Summit in 2026, where U荔枝视频 will join the Swiss Consulate and two other universities in hosting global dialogues in cooperation with GESDA (). GESDA is an international foundation that bridges cutting-edge science and diplomacy to anticipate and address global challenges, ensuring scientific advances contribute to peace, equity, and sustainable development. By integrating GESDA鈥檚 anticipatory frameworks with U荔枝视频鈥檚 research strengths and collaborative ethos, the university is helping to build a pipeline from discovery to diplomacy to real-world impact.

An exhibition, Blue Peace: From Water Competition to Collaboration, is on display in the EEEL lobby until Dec. 12, offering visitors a deeper look at the principles and impact of water diplomacy.