Lesson 4 - Collaborative Learning Activity 4.1: How can countries peacefully resolve problems related to population growth and resources?

Step 1 - Local groups should begin by calculating the water budgets for Turkey, Syria, and Iraq using a "Water Budget Worksheet".

Step 2 - Read country profiles and water management plans. Download the packet entitled "Tigris-Euphrates Country Profiles". The packet contains descriptive information about Iraq, Turkey, and Syria and their proposed plans for managing the shared water resources.

Step 3 - Evaluation of plans. Suppose your team is the head of a United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) Commission to Resolve Water Use in the Tigris-Euphrates Region. he United Nations is the primary international organization dedicated to the peaceful resolution of international problems related to the environment, political change, economic trade, and human rights. Download a "UNEP profile" and its criteria for evaluating the proposals submitted by Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. Using this information, discuss among your local groups how UNEP may be able to help the three countries settle on a compromise plan.

Step 4 - Discussion. Go to the Group Discussion Board and find the forum with the title "UNEP Commission". Local groups should post their ideas for a plan that would result in sustainable use of the Tigris-Euphrates water resources. Next, use this forum to discuss your ideas for reaching a peaceful water accord among Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Try to discuss the following questions long enough so that each member has a chance to share a view and respond to at least one other member of the team.

1. To what extent do you think limiting population growth is necessary to solve the water crisis in the Tigris-Euphrates region? Are there other possible economic, political, or cultural dimensions to the problem that should be considered in the negotiations? Consider the range of factors your team previously explored in this module, such as gender, economic development, and the distribution of resources between more developed and less developed regions.

2. What does your team consider to be the most promising strategies for achieving sustainable use of water in the Tigris-Euphrates region? Work together to identify five specific policies that UNEP can recommend to Iraq, Turkey, and Syria that will minimize the risk of future conflict over water and ensure that the populations of these countries receive the water they need for life and economic development