For over 4000 years, lands irrigated by the rivers of the Middle East have been a scene of conflict among those who have desired to rule these lands. These parts of the Middle East have become a place of titanic struggles amongst civilizations. The glorious and also violent history of the region has mostly been shaped by its geography in general, and its rivers in particular. In the history of mankind, economic development has been achieved when water and peace went together. It is a fact that those who used invaluable water resources efficiently were successful in achieving gains. The rivers of the Middle East are thus of strategic importance for peace amongst the countries of the region which have a common historical, cultural and religious heritage.
Over the course of history, the demand for water in the Middle East has grown substantially due to many factors, including rapid population growth, agricultural development, cultural practices, and foreign and/or domestic policy objectives of some regional states. Hence, such a significant change in the quest for water in recent times has led many scholars, scientists, and policy-makers to elaborate on the issues pertaining to water as an element of conflict or co-operation in the region. The fact that the use of water in agriculture occupies the greatest share in overall water consumption also made such management of demand and supply of water, subjects of utmost importance for the epistemic communities associated with water.
The rivers that transcend several countries compel a trans-national relationships among them. Hence, the geography of a river basin has an impact on the relationship among the basin countries. Interdependence stemming from such regional interactions may result either in conflict or in co-operation depending on the attitudes of the states concerned. Therefore, taking into account both contingencies, the purpose of the Hacettepe University, Hydropolitics and Strategic Research & Development Center is to promote co-operation in all respects among the river basin countries of the Middle East.
Purposes:
- Identify economic, social, political, legal, biological and environmental status of the rivers and the lakes in Turkey,
- Co-operate with public and private institutions and organisations,
- Organise panel discussions, meetings and conferences with a view to enlighten the public,
- Provide consultancy to public and private instutions and agencies,
- Co-operate with international institutions and organisations for the purposes cited,
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Provide MSc programme on Hydropolitics
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Provide information and documentation management on Hydropolitics..