– Water management sector in the service of education –
The role of OVF in training the next generation of water diplomats
The General Directorate of Water Management (OVF) does a serious work on a national and international level and has a key role in the water sector. From an international point of view, the coordination of cross-border water cooperation, the involvement in the international projects and active participation in the negotiations of international water policy belong to its significant tasks. In the centre of this activity stands the Department responsible for the International relations, which not only performs key tasks in the professional and diplomatic fields, but also actively contributes to the training of future water management professionals in the areas of youth development and education.
For years, as a strategic partner, OVF has been involved in the practice-oriented implementation of the International Water Governance and Water Diplomacy master’s degree program launched by the faculty of Water Sciences of Ludovika University of Public Service. More than one colleague of the Department joint to the program as a professor. Through their presentations, they give up-to-date information from first-hand about the process of international water governance, the institutional cooperation and even here and there they speak about the “behind the scenes” secrets of diplomatic negotiations. Its significance lies in adding experiences gained directly on the fields to the theoretical background of the training to support developing a realistic, professional approach among participants.
An important pillar of the training – taking place on the faculty of Water Sciences of Ludovika University of Public Service – is the obligatory one-month internship, during which the students get the opportunity to take part in the everyday life and work of Department responsible for the International relations at OVF. This allows them to experience first-hand how water management works at the international level: what international projects, organizations and cooperation related tasks they participate in, what forums are used for transboundary dialogues and negotiations and how our country’s interests are represented in an environment, where water as a resource of strategic importance is on the negotiating table.
It is particularly important to note that the majority of students participating in the training do not have a background in natural science or hydraulic engineering. For this very reason, one of the aims of the program is that water shall not appear only as a legal or an economical aspect but it shall be interpreted as a natural resource, “treasure”, scenery and geographical element too. To comprehend this, it is vital to have a comprehensive understanding about the complexity, the working methods of water systems, and its environmental, social and economic roles of water beyond the engineering approach.
Through its multifaceted role, the OVF's Department for International Affairs contributes to preparing a new generation capable of navigating the water challenges of the 21st century, whether it be climate change, water resource sharing, or the formation of international cooperation. By providing practical support for Water Diplomacy master training program, the General Directorate pass over not only professional knowledge and experiences but also value, attitudes and responsibility towards the future professionals and water diplomats.
Text: dr. Katalin Kozma, intern, Department responsible for the International relations, OVF,
Revised by: dr. László Balatonyi és Katalin Szabó, International Relation Officers,
Stylistic revision: Olivia Barta, Project coordinator, Department responsible for the International relations, OVF