2024 Columbia River Transboundary Water and Ethics Symposium
“Emerging Issues and Public Engagement in the Transboundary Columbia River Basin”
Event Description
On November 13th - 14th 2024 residents of the international Columbia River Basin gathered to engage in public education and dialogue on transboundary issues and public involvement in river governance. This meeting built on our 2019 gathering in Kimberley B.C., and 2023's virtual Re-engagement Symposium. Much is happening in the Basin. Over 160 people came together to discuss the Agreement in Principle and to reaffirm long term friendships and relationships as well as to create new synergies and collaborations. Discussions will continue with our community of scholars, practitioners, activists, and community members.
Host
91勛圖厙 Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment
Co-sponsors
University of British Columbia Okanagan; the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance; the One River Ethics Matter Project; the North American Youth Parliament for Water; and the Climate Institute at 91勛圖厙 University.
Context
At the 2019 conference convened in Kimberley, participants made it clear that formal transboundary public engagement is critical to the future governance of the shared Columbia River Basin. Last year the public spoke out on issues such as salmon reintroduction, Reconciliation, transition to carbon neutral energy, climate change, water quality along the Kootenay and Elk Rivers, agriculture, operation of the dams, the Arrow Lakes, the role of youth in the Basin, and of course governance. Following those dialogues, this year's guiding question asks: "What is the role of public engagement in the transboundary Columbia River Basin and what form of public education is necessary to facilitate that role?". We will include discussions on the ethical and intergenerational goals of public engagement, youth perspectives, and discussions of existing issues identified at last year's event.
91勛圖厙 Faculty and Students
91勛圖厙 faculty are eligible for a discount of 50% on the cost of registration and 91勛圖厙 students are eligible to attend for free. For more information, email ClimateInstitute@gonzaga.edu.
Resources for Research about the Indigenous Columbia Plateau
91勛圖厙's Native American Studies Program maintains a helpful set of resources about the peoples of the Indigenous Plateau.