FYI...
Stefanie Rixecker
ECOFEM Coordinator
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The Role of Water in History and Development
The International Water History Association (IWHA)
2nd conference
10th -12th August 2001
University of Bergen, Norway
First Call for Papers
The International Water History Association (IWHA) 2nd conference will
bring together researchers from different disciplines who all study the
character and role of freshwater in history and development.
While freshwater is a true universal and no human being and no society
can exist without it, its natural characteristics vary extremely from
place to place and from time to time. Societies have managed and
harnessed water in various ways with various implications both for water
resources and for society. This conference will explore these variations
in man/water relations in time and space, and examine why some societies
have apparently succeeded, while others have failed to secure a sound
management system of their fresh water.
The conference will have two main aims:
- to present different empirical research findings and to create a forum
for theoretical discussions on how the relationship between man and
water can be analysed and understood in the most fruitful ways.
- to produce relevant input into present day debates about issues
including the control and ownership of water, water conflicts and water
pollution.
At the conference there will also be a general meeting of the
International Water History Association to discuss election of
officials, further conference plans etc.
The conference will present a mix of keynote lectures and contributed
papers and posters. Keynote speakers will be announced later.
We are inviting papers on the following themes:
(These themes are provisional at the moment - the organisers will
welcome suggestions for individual papers and sessions):
A. The political economy of water - ownership and control
This session will deal with the changing histories of water as a private
or public good. In what way has water been seen as a commodity standing
outside "normal" economic theories, or been used to challenge political
economic thought. It will also be open to papers examining the ways in
which regional and national control of water resources have been part of
a pattern of economic and political control within and across national
boundaries, and has fomented territorial disputes.
B. Images of water (in religion, myths, literature and art)
This session will deal with different aspects of the cultural
construction of water - from ancient days until contemporary time. We
are calling for papers on for example the role of water in the world
religions, myths of rivers as a source of life, and water as an object
of art. Other themes addressed could be the free flowing river as a
state of equilibrium or as a chaotic and violent nature meant to be
controlled by man.
C. History of hydrology and water control
This session will especially deal with the development of hydrological
sciences and water controlling technology. We are not only interested in
dam building and water regulation technology. We are also inviting
papers on changes in irrigation and drainage technology etc. The session
will encourage comparative perspectives on irrigation and drainage
systems, both regarding technology, institutions and policy.
D. Narratives on the river and the dam
This session will discuss the harnessed river in a social construction
perspective. What stories do we tell about free flowing, or harnessed
rivers? Should this history be written as a history of progress or as a
history of failure? The narratives have varied from a river lost to the
rebirth of a new river or the remaking of a new nature. The narratives
have also been written in a perspective of distribution of power The
Conquered River - or in ecological perspective - The Devastated River.
How will the stories that we tell about man and the river influence the
way we interpret rivers in the 21st century?
E. The engineering of water systems - engineers, entrepreneurs and
bureaucrats
This session will examine the cultures, traditions and power of those
designing and constructing water systems. It will, for example, look at
engineers with reference to their aesthetic and technical influences,
and their relationship to political power structures. It will also, for
example, examine the entrepreneurial capabilities and goals of
individuals, from private sector firms, or government departments, who
conceived or guided the construction of water systems.
F. "Water and man" relations in science
This session will deal with how the relationship man/water has been
understood and explained through the centuries and by contemporary
scientists in all kinds of disciplines and traditions.
G. History of water, sanitation and health
In this session studies of water and health will be presented by a broad
focus on water borne diseases. We also call for papers that deal with
the relationship between epidemics and water and how societies have
worked to secure clean water to stem epidemics. This session will also
deal with changes in water quality, and how these changes can be seen
related to social developments. We also call for papers discussing the
understandings - both contemporary and historical - of the concept of
clean/polluted water.
H. Water, poverty and social development
This session will deal with development of the modern megalopolis and
the water and sewage question. How does the privatisation wave affect
social relations and the water supply system? How does lack of water
affect development and development options?
I. Freshwater and the coastal zone - integrated and ecological
management
The main focus will be put on conflicts between user-interests,
especially interrelated problems of freshwater, estuarine and marine
areas. Both examples of how conflicts have been coped with historically,
and more recently evolved problems and opportunities will be addressed.
We also call for papers discussing principles for management of
freshwater resources, estuarine and marine areas, as in the integrated
and ecological approach in the new EU Water Resources Directive.
Finally, attention will also be paid to the development of environmental
goals and planning tools of interrelated fresh water, estuarine and
marine areas.
J. Regional waters in a historical perspective
The conference will organise parallel sessions on water issues in a
regional perspective (Asia, Middle East and Africa, Europe, America).
Regional characteristics and different experiences and possibilities of
human exploitation of water resources will be highlighted. The aim is to
stimulate regional research collaboration and improve transfer of
knowledge on man-water relations.
The conference papers will be edited by an international editorial
committee and subsequently published. In connection with the conference
we will organise a book exhibition on water related research. We will
invite participants to send the organising committee leaflets about
reports and books published on the conference topic. The conference is
organised in co-operation with UNESCO=s International Hydrological
Programme.
It is envisaged that travel support will be available for selected
speakers. It is the intention of the organisers to target this support
towards speakers from universities and institutions which do not
normally provide sufficient resources to fund extensive foreign travel.
Conference location
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and the capital of the
Scandinavian rain coast. It is also a commercial centre which was
historically one of the Hanseatic ports with strong maritime trading
links to all parts of the world. Seven mountains surround it and the
city is renowned for its beauty. Bergen is also noted for being the
birthplace of Edvard Grieg whose music reflects the natural environment;
mountains, fjords, but also running water everywhere. The location of
the conference hall, Bergen Kongress Senter, is downtown Bergen.
Summer holiday on the western coast of Norway?
The conference organisers have managed to negotiate with local hotels a
good deal for accompanying persons. In August Bergen and the Norwegian
West Coast with its mountains, ocean and fjords often experience good
weather. (Have a look at these pages:
www.uib.no/Bergen/reiseliv/tourist/index.html and
home.no.net/rostrand/)
Organising Committee on behalf of IWHA:
Professor Terje Tvedt, University of Bergen
Professor Petter Larson, University of Bergen
Dr. Eva Jakobsson, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Contact person: Alv Terje Fotland,
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Centre for Development Studies
University of Bergen
Stromgaten 54,
N-5007 Bergen, Norway
fax: + 47 55 58 98 92
Time schedule:
Abstracts: 15. October 2000
Conference programme December 2000
Papers: 1. August 2001
Conference: 10.-12. August 2001
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Dr. Stefanie S. Rixecker, Senior Lecturer
Environmental Management & Design Division
Lincoln University, Canterbury
PO Box 84
Aotearoa New Zealand
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fax: 64-03-325-3841
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