The Human Rights Unit at the University of Baghdad’s College of Nursing organized a specialized awareness course titled “Water and the Right to Life: A Reading of the Humanitarian Dimensions of the Water Crisis in Iraq,” presented by Assistant Lecturer Hussein Sabah Akkar at the Continuing Education Hall. Attended by a group of faculty members, staff, and students, the event was held as part of the unit’s periodic activities aimed at fostering awareness of pressing national and humanitarian issues.
The course sought to highlight the strategic importance of water as a fundamental human right and a core pillar for achieving sustainable development, providing a precise analysis of the water crisis in Iraq by reviewing its natural, political, and environmental causes and their direct impact on society. Sessions focused on illustrating the humanitarian and social dimensions of this crisis and its serious implications for public health, food security, and social stability, aiming to enhance institutional awareness of the importance of sustainable water resource management and to open dialogue between specialists and policymakers to find practical and realistic solutions.
The program concluded with a set of strategic recommendations emphasizing the need to establish a comprehensive national vision for water management based on sustainable scientific planning and the strengthening of international cooperation to secure Iraq’s water rights in shared rivers according to international laws. Furthermore, the recommendations highlighted the importance of developing modern irrigation techniques to reduce waste in the agricultural sector and launching national media campaigns to instill a culture of conservation among individuals, while supporting specialized scientific research to innovate sustainable solutions for facing environmental challenges.
This event embodies the college’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), Goal 4 (Quality Education and Knowledge Dissemination), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring fundamental rights for all members of society.
