International Water and Climate Academy

Gain rare, hands-on insights from global leaders in water policy, conflict management, and climate resilience.

Existential Global Issue

As water scarcity, climate change, and transboundary issues intensify, there is an urgent need for professionals who can navigate complex conflicts, drive sustainable policy, and implement adaptive strategies.

This two-week International Water and Climate Academy provides access to renowned experts in water conflict transformation, international law, climate resilience, and policy governance.

In addition to learning face-to-face from the international panel of experts, you’ll gain practical skills and valuable insights to lead water and climate initiatives confidently and effectively in a global context.

Program Design

Take this chance to be guided by top international experts and thought leaders who have shaped water conflict transformation, climate adaptation practices, and international water law.

What You'll Learn:

Techniques for managing and transforming water-related conflicts
Frameworks for water policy and governance across local and global contexts
International legal standards for environmental and water management
Adaptive strategies to bolster climate resilience in resource management

Who Will Benefit from This Program

This intensive workshop is designed for professionals in and adjacent to water management who are ready to expand their knowledge and skillset with cutting-edge strategies and global perspectives.

This program is designed for:

State or federal agencies
NGOs
Advocacy groups
Development partners or development banks
Professionals and graduate students in any water-related field
Current and prospective diplomats and policymakers wanted to expand knowledge on water and climate
Those managing for climate change adaptation

Providing these concentrated offerings collectively and onsite, we hope to promote an atmosphere of commonality and community to help build towards a sustainable, equitable, and peaceful future.

All sessions will be held on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, Oregon, with supplemental online coursework.

Program Schedule

Each week features two concurrent sessions; you can select only one per week, up to two total.

WEEK 1: JUNE 16-20 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

"Water Conflict Management & Transformation" taught by Lynette de Silva and Aaron Wolf

This session equips water resource professionals and students with practical skills to manage and transform conflicts in water-related situations. Through hands-on, experiential learning, you will:
- Explore conflict tolerance, prevention, and negotiation strategies.
- Gain insights into effective collaboration and practice real-world skills that apply from individual interactions to broader societal challenges.
- Learn how creative, often messy, solutions can lead to impactful outcomes in contentious water scenarios.
"Water Policy & Governance" taught by Melissa McCracken

This session explores the policies and governance systems that ensure clean water access. You will dive into U.S. and international water policies, examining core topics such as water allocation, quality, and the impact of privatization.

This session is designed for those with an interest or background in environmental management, and you will learn the complexities of water as a resource and how governance in sectors like agriculture and municipal services shapes—and is shaped by—water policy.

WEEK 2: JUNE 23-27 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

"International Environmental and Water Law" taught by Susanne Schmeier

This session introduces you to international and regional laws governing shared natural resources, with a focus on water.

Designed for those in environmental management and policy (no legal background required), you will:
- Explore foundational concepts, global treaties, and basin-specific agreements essential for sustainable resource management.
- Gain a practical understanding of international legal frameworks relevant to water and environmental governance.
"Managing Natural Resources for Climate Change Adaptation" taught by John Matthews

This session uses real-world case studies to explore strategies for resilience in resource management.

Through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities, you will examine practical approaches to managing water resources effectively.

Secure Your Seat

Secure your spot today for this unparalleled opportunity to learn from the leaders in water policy, conflict transformation, international water law and climate change resilience.

Graduate Option

If you're interested in obtaining up to 6 graduate credits in two weeks, you should visit https://gradwater.oregonstate.edu/summer-workshop-2025 or contact Stephen Good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveling to Campus and Accommodations: Oregon State University can be reached from Portland International (PDX) or the Eugene (EUG) airports. And there are accommodations both on and off campus.

Employers Payment and Bulk Enrollments: We can easily accept payment for employees and we're able to accept group registration.

Group Registration

Past Collaborating Partners of the Program In Water Conflict Management and Transformation

Week One: June 16 - 20, 2025
Week Two: June 23 - 27, 2025

Corvallis, Oregon

Per Session: $975

750

Request More Information

Additional Information:

No prerequisites, open to all

This workshop is available for both non-credit and credit (up to 6 graduate credits).

Non-US citizen or permanent resident participants may contact Rachael Weber, Office of International Services with questions regarding travel visas.

Instructors

Lynette de Silva

Lynette de Silva directs the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation at Oregon State University (OSU), which includes: the graduate/professional certificate program; the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database, an information technology/outreach program; and the University Partnership for Transboundary Waters, a collaborative research program. This involves contributing to issues of topical scientific and societal importance; adding to state, national, and international visibility; consolidating programmatic cores and teaching missions; and recruiting graduate students and evaluating student applications.

de Silva teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in water resources management, and water conflict management. Her principal areas of interest include water conflict management, integrated watershed management, and the study of transboundary waters. Ms. de Silva’s research interests include gender issues in transboundary freshwater dispute resolution, particularly as it relates to the role of women.

Dr. Aaron T. Wolf

Aaron T. Wolf, PhD is a professor of geography at Oregon State University, USA, with an appointment as professor of water diplomacy at IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. He has acted as consultant to the US Government, the World Bank, and several international governments and development partners on various aspects of water resources and conflict management. A trained mediator/ facilitator, he directs the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation, through which he has offered workshops, facilitations, and mediation in basins throughout the world.

Dr. John Matthews

Dr. John Matthews is a resilience scientist and adaptation practitioner who has been working at the interface of water and climate globally since 2007. John co-founded the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) in 2010 with the World Bank, where he is the Executive Director. His work explores how we define and accelerate the uptake of our emerging set of best practices for water-centric climate resilience. He has led the development of new climate risk methodologies that have been used in dozens of countries, prepared green bond criteria that have certified more than 15 billion USD in water resilience investments over six continents, and advised well over 100 countries on their national climate commitments.

Dr. Susanne Schmeier

Dr. Susanne Schmeier is an Associate Professor of Water Law and Diplomacy at IHE Delft – Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands. Her work focuses on legal and institutional arrangements for preventing water disputes and fostering cooperation and on the linkages between water and other fields of law and governance. She is also a courtesy faculty member in the Water Resources Policy and Management Program at Oregon State University and an affiliate at the International Water Law Academy, Wuhan, China. Prior to joining IHE Delft, she worked for the German government, coordinating Germany’s development cooperation support to transboundary water management, for the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the World Bank, among others. She is also a moderator and facilitator of international conferences and negotiations and has been involved in negotiation and dispute-resolution processes in various basins around the world.

Melissa McCracken

Melissa McCracken is an assistant professor of international environmental policy. She directs the Shared Waters Lab, co-directs the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, and is an affiliate of the Center for International Law and Governance at Fletcher. Her research focus is on international water policy and management, cooperation and conflict over shared surface and groundwaters, and conflict transformation surrounding environmental resources. Broadly, she supports interdisciplinary research and teaching for water policy and management. Water is both a human and physical resource and, therefore, requires collaborative technical and policy solutions.

Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.