Juneau World Affairs Council and UAS present: World Affairs Forum 2015: The Politics of Water

Join us Oct 22-24 for this free forum to explore water issues around the world, and models of conflict and cooperation between governments.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: October 19, 2015

The Juneau World Affairs Council and the University of Alaska Southeast present:

World Affairs Forum 2015: The Politics of Water

Thursday evening, October 22 through Saturday evening, October 24, 2015

By 2025 more than half of the world’s nations will face fresh water shortages. Local scarcity, population and industrial pressures, pollution, and climate change all threaten water security and make water a strategic natural resource. The Juneau World Affairs Council and the University of Alaska Southeast invite the public to join in a free forum, October 22-24 in the Egan building at the University of Alaska Southeast, to explore water issues around the world, and models of conflict and cooperation between governments.

Thursday, October 22

7–8:30 p.m. Egan Lecture Hall

Semi-tropical Wetlands to Semi-arid Drylands: Lessons from the Ancient Past

With Vernon Scarborough, Distinguished University Research Professor and Charles Phelps Taft Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Cincinnati.

Friday, October 23

2–3:15 p.m., Egan Lecture Hall

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Experiences and Lessons Learned with Governance and International Waters from Around the World

With Richard Paisley, Director of the Global Transboundary International Waters Governance Research Initiative, UBC.

3:30–4:45 p.m., Egan Lecture Hall

Water in the 21st Century: A New Narrative

With Brett Walton, award-winning writer covering agriculture, energy, and the politics and economics of water.

Evening at Egan: 7–9:00 p.m., Egan Library

Whiskey’s for Drinking, Water’s for Fighting Over:’ A Role for International Law in a Water-Short World?

With Stephen McCaffrey, Distinguished Professor and Scholar at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and former UN International Law Commissioner.

Saturday, October 24

9–10:15 a.m., Egan Lecture Hall

It’s Not Just About the Water: Politics of Water in the Colorado River Basin

With Dr. Edmund Andrews, former US Geological Survey scientist, now consultant and expert witness in several international water cases.

10:30–11:45 a.m., Egan Lecture Hall

California’s Integrated Water System in the Central Valley

Can a system designed over 100 years ago to protect people against floods accommodate the modern day priorities of habitat restoration, water supply reliability, water quality, and recreation?

With Leslie Gallagher, Attorney, water allocation specialist, and Executive Officer of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board in California.

1:00–2:15 p.m., Egan Lecture Hall

Our Future is here – Water isn't what it used to be!

With Jim Ayers, founder and President of Alaska Strategies, a conservation consulting firm providing advice to Federal and State agencies, corporations and national conservation organizations, former chief of staff for Tony Knowles and Executive Director for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council.

2:30–3:45 p.m., Egan Lecture Hall

Panel Discussion

Sponsored by JWAC, UAS, Sealaska, Wostmann & Associates, Greens Creek, GCI, AEL&P, AP&T, Coeur Alaska, Alaska Airlines, Haight & Associates, The Prospector Hotel

More details on the Juneau World Affairs Council website. For further information, contact Bruce Botelho: 723-9999