Water Innovation Lab
Resources Guests
Dr. Rabi H. Mohtar,
Lebanon
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB),
Dr. Rabi H. Mohtar
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB)
Dr. Rabi H. Mohtar, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), represents AUB on the Board of Governors of the World Water Council. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (2018) and a member of the Executive Board of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA).
Mohtar has over 160 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters. He participated in or organized 300 technical sessions, conferences, and workshops worldwide and has supervised more than 70 graduate students (Ph.D. and M.Sc.), hosted over 30 postdoctoral and visiting scholars, and worked in research and training in more than 15 countries. With more than $15 million in funded research grants, Mohtar continues to address global resource challenges on topics including: development of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus framework linking science and policy, characterization of the soil-water medium using thermodynamic modeling; efficacy of non-traditional water using physical-based methodologies, and applications for sustainable integrated water management.
Mohtar founded and coordinated the Texas A&M University Water-Energy-Food Resource Nexus Initiative (WEFNI) from 2015-2018, where he is also a TEES Research Professor (Civil and Agricultural Engineering). He holds adjunct positions at Texas A&M-Qatar and Purdue Universities. Mohtar advises the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Momentum of Change), and is a Senior Fellow of the OCP Policy Center. He is the recipient of IWRA’s Ven Te Chow Memorial Lecturer (2015), a Distinguished Alumnus of the American University of Beirut (2013), and recipient of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Kishida International Award (2010). Mohtar served on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Councils on Water Security and Climate Change (2009-2014). He was founding executive director of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute at the Qatar Foundation (2010-2014), and inaugural director of Purdue’s Global Engineering Programs (2008-2012).
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Bassam Jaber
Lebanon
Senior Advisor to LWP (Lebanese Water Project) of DAI
Bassam Jaber
Senior Advisor to LWP (Lebanese Water Project)of DAI
Bassam Jaber is an engineer and consultant in water resources. He is also one of the most prominent water-focused public servants in Lebanon. He held the position of General Director of Exploitation at the Ministry of Water, and Advisor to the Minister of energy and water between 1993 and 2002. Before that, and for over three decades, he worked as head engineer at the ministry. Between 2002 and 2009, he managed the Lebanese Water Policy Program financed by USAID. Since 2009, he was senior advisor and consultant to several other USAID financed projects, the last one to date being the Lebanese Water Project of DAI financed by USAID to enhance Utilities performances in Technical, Administrative and Financial fields. Mr. Jaber was also involved in transboundary negotiations between Lebanon and Syria, assistant professor at the university, author of several studies, and member of the Arab Water Council. He is very happy to be part of the first WIL Lebanon to share his extensive knowledge in water policy
making and negotiations as well as his immense experience in managing water utilities and governmental institutions as well as international donors’ projects and studies.
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Maya Atieh
Lebanon
Water Resources Engineer PhD, President Lebanese Youth Parliament for Water
Maya Atieh
Water Resources Engineer PhD, President Lebanese Youth Parliament for Water
Dr. Maya Atieh received her PhD in 2017 in the field of Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph, Canada. She is the recipient The Women in Science 2018 L’Oréal Fellowship and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) scholarship for her work exploring novel engineering tools to more accurately predict streamflow and sediment at ungauged remote sites. Dr. Atieh worked on projects analyzing temporal and spatial variability of precipitation and propagating its effect on flow, and allocation of water resources for satisfying irrigation water demand in Lebanon. Her current research evaluates water quantity at ungauged basins using artificial neural networks, gene expression programming models and geographic information system. Dr. Atieh is the President of the Lebanese Youth Parliament for Water (LYPW) that was initiated in 2019. She is also a member of the youth committee at the Ibrahim Abd ElAl foundation aiming at raising awareness regarding the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She hopes that the coming generations will feel the urgency of preventing and reversing the damage done to Earth.
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Mohammad El Mongy
Egypt
Co-Founder Nile Forum & Certified Mediator in sustainable development and conflict transformation
Mohammad El Mongy
Co-Founder Nile Forum & Certified Mediator in sustainable development and conflict transformation
Mohamed El Mongy is a certified mediator with over 20 years of experience in sustainable development and conflict transformation. Prior to founding Sycamore Consulting and the Nile Forum, Mohamed was co-founder and co-director at Misriyati for facilitating conversations and conflict transformation processes. A passionate believer in collaboration and in the ability to transform conflict situations through meaningful dialogue, Mohamed recently co-founded the Nile Forum, a platform where people of – and interested in – the Nile Basin can engage in meaningful conversation, collective learning processes, reconnecting to the land and its stories and inspiring trans-local collaborations. After spending two years in AIESEC International as Director for Africa, he worked on a number of sustainable development issues and projects in different African countries; Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya and Morocco. He facilitated more than 200 workshops, conferences and events all through his life journey. Mongy earned his Masters in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He also holds certifications in conflict resolution, agriculture and ecosystem services, and climate change and water. Mongy started pursuing his PhD in Integral Design of the Nile Basin communities’ relationships. The PhD is currently on hold until he pursues his dream of setting in solid foundation the Nile Forum. Mongy is passionate about pan-Africanity (Humanly inclusive African identity). Throughout his professional career, he held a variety of positions in sustainability consulting, brand management, and project management. He is the caller for the establishment of the Nile Forum as a platform for civil society across the Nile basin.
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Urs Hagnauer
Switzerland
Head Project Office Zahle, Embassy of Switzerland
Urs Hagnauer
Head Project Office Zahle, Embassy of Switzerland
As Project Manager for the Embassy of Switzerland in Lebanon, on the project; “Contribution to improved access to water and sanitation services in Bekaa Valley”, Urs is responsible for the overall implementation of the activities and the collaboration with the local partners, in particular the Bekaa Water Establishment. His professional background is in Project Management and Human Resource Development and his professional experience extends to over 40 years. The past 37 years being focused exclusively in the development sector while implementing programs and projects aiming on poverty reduction and improvement of living conditions of vulnerable groups of people.
Urs has been holding direct line and advisory positions in projects and programs related to the Water, Sanitation and Health, Technical Vocational Education and support of Small and Medium Enterprise sector. Lately he worked more in organizational development and capacity building of local partner institutions in the WASH sector and activities related to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Urs has also led large multi-disciplinary teams in diverse cultural settings in remote areas of Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Nepal, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Lebanon and Paraguay.
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Darine Saliba
Lebanon
Project Officer, Embassy of Switzerland
Darine Saliba
Project Officer, Embassy of Switzerland
Darine Saliba has worked in the social work field for 9 years, with experience focused on protection, communication, and social mobilization. As a social worker, she has worked with detainees, migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees in addition to leading awareness initiatives in universities and schools regarding migrant workers’ rights.
As protection officer she has planned and prepared protection events, worked with local partners and explored sites in negotiating these locations for developing notice boards for announcements about refugee services and supporting protection advocacy researches and surveys.
Currently in her role as Project Officer with the Swiss Cooperation Office in Lebanon (Project Office Zahle) at the Embassy of Switzerland Darine oversees the water management project in Bekaa Valley which is based on a conflict sensitivity approach. She is assisting in conducting social and conflict assessment and analysis, helping in the design and implementation of strategies and appropriate methods to implement activities in terms of sustainability, and implication on the existing structures and dynamics especially with their partner Bekaa Water Establishment.
Darine is passionate about the humanitarian and social field and will bring this perspective to WIL Lebanon.
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Adib Dada
Lebanon
Founder, Lead Architect, Biomimicry Specialist
Adib Dada
Founder, Lead Architect, Biomimicry Specialist
Adib Dada is the founder of theOtherDada [tOD] Integrated Consultancy & Architecture, which mission is to activate projects across architecture, design, and art by creating unconventional links at the frontier of science. Adib earned a BAr in Architecture at the American University of Beirut – Lebanon, a Master’s Degree in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU – USA and completed the Biomimicry graduate certificate from the Biomimicry Institute and Arizona State University. Based on Biomimicry, theOtherDada’s work promotes a symbiotic relationship between nature and the built environment by exploring new ways of creating generous and regenerative buildings; in essence developing creative solutions that have a positive impact. Adib was listed as one of GOOD Magazine’s GOOD 100 for his project Beirut RiverLESS, which aims to regenerate the deteriorated Beirut River. Adib is a Fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
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Katia Zahwi
Lebanon
Architect and Project Coordinator of Beirut RiverLESS
Katia Zahwi
Architect and Project Coordinator of Beirut RiverLESS
Katia Zahwi is a Lebanese Architect who holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Lebanese University. She works at theOtherDada [tOD] Integrated Consultancy & Architecture as a researcher where she coordinates Beirut RiverLESS, a project that aims to Bring Beirut River Back to Life following a landscape ecology approach, by enabling local governance and innovative ecological interventions. Through her involvement in several initiatives, Katia gained experience in urban resilience, community development, and participatory management of cultural practices. In 2017, Katia received a Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship from the Swedish Institute, and got selected as a Laureate Global Fellow by the International Youth Foundation.
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Dr Nadim Farajalla
Lebanon
Director of the Climate Change and the Environment Program at Issam Fares Institute
Dr Nadim Farajalla
Director of the Climate Change and the Environment Program at Issam Fares Institute
Dr Farajalla is the director of the Climate Change and the Environment Program at the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. His current research focuses on the impact of climate change on human settlements and activities through extreme events of flooding and droughts; the nexus of water-energy-food and climate change with focus on adaptation and resilience; and recovery of devastated land due to anthropogenic activities such as wars, farming, quarrying, etc.
Dr. Farajalla started out his graduate academic studies in irrigation engineering attaining an MS from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, USA and then an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering from the University of Oklahoma, USA.
He worked in the private sector first as a senior scientist at Stone Environmental, Inc., Montpelier, Vermont, USA and then at Dar al- Handasah (Shair and partners), Beirut, Lebanon as a Senior Environmental Engineer on projects which focused on water resources and associated infrastructure; environmental impact studies and management plans, hydrological studies and erosion assessment and mitigation. Dr. Farajalla founded and headed the Land, Water and Environment Department at the consulting firm SETS sarl with projects in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, and Oman.
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Karen Kun
Canada
President & Founder, Waterlution
Karen Kun
President & Founder, Waterlution
Karen is the Founder and Executive Director of Waterlution, and co-founder of Greatness – The Great Lakes Project. She credits her time living among Indigenous communities in Latin America as the inspiration behind applying water as a metaphor for everything essential in caring for and preserving ourselves and our planet. Thirteen years later, Karen continues to incorporate the practice of storytelling, building personal connections, peer-to-peer social engagement, and empathy as the fundamental tools in creating meaningful water dialogue.
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Dr. Mustapha A. Haidar
Lebanon
Director of AREC at AUB
Dr. Mustapha A. Haidar
Director of AREC at AUB
Dr. Mustapha A. Haidar, is the Director of Advanced Research Enabling Communities (AREC) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) since 2015. Currently he is also a Professor of Weed Eco-physiology at AUB. From the year 2003, Dr. Haidar started developing and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in the field of General Agriculture, Weed Science, Turfgrass, Seed Biology, Plant Physiology, Natural Sciences, Agricultural Projects, Farm Practices, Seminars, IPM, Organic Farming and Landscape Pest Management. Haidar’s areas of research focus on dodder eco-physiology and management, broomrape management, sustainable weed management, soil solarization, soil amendments, cover crops, bio-fumigation, conservation agriculture and Aquaculture.
Dr. Haidar started out his graduate academic studies in Plant Protection getting an MS from the American University of Beirut, and then a PhD with distinction in Weed Science from Colorado State University in Colorado, USA. Dr. Haidar was then a Member and Chairman of various committees at AUB throughout the years and he managed to publish various refereed papers in Weed Science Journals.
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Eng. Hussam Hawwa
Lebanon
Founder of Difaf
Eng. Hussam Hawwa
Founder of Difaf
Hussam Hawwa holds a BSc. in Agricultural Sciences and Engineering from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, as well as an MSc. in Integrated Water Resources Management from Wageningen University, Netherlands. Hussam has over 10 years of experience in the water and environmental sectors, within which he founded a consultancy and design firm Difaf, initiating, implementing and managing projects that deal with wastewater treatment, quality monitoring, sustainable agriculture, river restoration and basin management schemes, and constructed wetlands. He collaborated with many municipalities, government entities, water establishments and local actors across Lebanon, and has went on several missions in the MENA region. In addition to his project and technical managerial capacities, Hussam also won several awards in business planning such as The Nature Conservation Center Award and CEWAS Middle-east award for innovative business cases. Aside from his professional background, Hussam is an avid environmental activist and a passionate photographer.
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Jihan Seoud
Lebanon
Program Manager Energy and Environment Programme at UNDP
Jihan Seoud
Program Manager Energy and Environment Programme at UNDP
Jihan Seoud has been working for the Energy and Environment Programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lebanon since 2004. She works on managing a team of experts that implement environmental projects throughout Lebanon in support of the government as well as local communities. She also provides technical policy support to the UNDP on environmental matters and mobilises resources for projects in the sector. She has experience in sustainable energy and climate change, conservation of natural resources, water management and protection and environmental policy initiatives. She holds a bachelor degree in Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut and a graduate degree in Environmental Science and Technology, with a focus on water chemistry, from UNESCO-IHE Delft, The Netherlands.
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Mona Betour El Zoghbi
Lebanon
Sustainable Development Consultant
Mona Betour El Zoghbi
Sustainable Development Consultant
Mona Betour El Zoghbi is a sustainable development consultant. She has worked with international organisations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNDP, as well as various universities, research institutes, and local and global NGOs across the Arab region, Europe and Africa on climate change, sustainable development, public health, and youth and community education and engagement. She has also worked as national coordinator of youth projects at UNESCO Office in Beirut, and as a University Instructor on ethics and sustainability. Holder of a Master in Environmental Sciences and PhD in Sustainable Development.
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Dr Atif Kubursi
Canada /Lebanon
Emeritus Professor of Economics at McMaster University
Dr Atif Kubursi
Emeritus Professor of Economics at McMaster University, Canada
Atif Kubursi is Emeritus Professor of Economics at McMaster University, Canada. He taught economics at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, was visiting Scholar at Cambridge University, Fellow of the Institute for Social and Economic Policy at Harvard University, Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University and served as the Acting Executive Secretary, and Undersecretary General of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. In 1981 he worked for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization as senior Development Officer and was consultant to the Organization throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He consulted regularly with the UNFAO, UNCTAD, UNILO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP and many other international organizations and governments. He authored 12 books including The Economic Consequences of the Camp David Accords (Institute of Palestine Studies in Arabic and English) and Oil, Industrialization & Development in Arab Gulf States (Routledge), Food and Water Security in the Arab World (World Bank in Arabic and English), Co-operation & Development in the Energy Sector (Croom – Helm with T. Naylor), Input – Output Analyses of Fiscal Policy in Ontario (Ontario Economic Council), The Economies of the Arabian Gulf (Routledge) and over 250 papers in academic and professional journals and technical reports.
He holds a Ph.D and M Sc. degrees in Economics from Purdue University, USA. B.A in Economics from the American University of Beirut. He completed three years towards a law degree at the Faculty of Law, Lebanese University 1961-1964. In 1972 he formed Econometric Research Ltd. and has served as its president since then. He sits on a number of community and academic boards including Global Carbon Footprint Foundation, Trans Arab Research Centre (TARI), Wellwood, Raising a Village, Canadian Journal of Development Studies, and Development Economics.
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Fouad Jaber, Ph.D., P.E.
United States
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Texas A&M
Fouad Jaber, Ph.D., P.E.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Texas A&M
Dr. Fouad Jaber is an associate professor and integrated water resources management extension specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension located at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas.
Dr. Jaber received his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University with emphasis in Natural and Environmental Resources Engineering.
He has published more than 24 refereed journal articles and more than 100 conference proceedings papers in addition to extension publications and governmental reports.
He has been conducting research and extension programs related to stormwater management, stream restoration, non-point source pollution management from the urban environment and water quality studies since 2002 with funding exceeding two million dollars.
Dr. Jaber is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
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Salim Kreidieh
Lebanon
Manager of “Dar Annahda Engineering”
Salim Kreidieh
Manager of “Dar Annahda Engineering”
Manager with Dar Annahda Engineering, working with different Administrations such as: Ministry of Energy and Water, Displaced fund, United Nation Integrated Rural Development Program For Baalbeck-Hermel, Litani River Authority, Beirut Municipality, SEMIDE. Registered with the Order of Engineers of Beirut, and General Secretary of the Association “Water and Friends”.
Litani River Authority Responsible, 28 years of experience.
- Participation with “Energoproject Hydroengineering” in many projects concerning South Lebanon: Maifadoun Dam, Wazzani Project, etc…
- Participation with “EDF” (France) in the design of Khardali dam project in South Lebanon
- Head of Irrigation department: and Administrative Management of the Department: South Bekaa Project, South Lebanon project study
Manager of “Dar Annahda Engineering” 26 years
- design and Supervision of many projects of irrigation and water supply
- Implying works relationship with Lebanese Administration and Water Authorities
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Ramy Boujawdeh
Lebanon
Deputy General Manager, Berytech
Ramy Boujawdeh
Deputy General Manager, Berytech
Ramy Boujawdeh, Deputy General Manager of Berytech. With 20 years of international experiences, Ramy amassed a diversified knowledge in the fields of change and quality management, operations, and entrepreneurship support programs. Ramy is highly active in introducing and managing innovative programs to create opportunities for youth, women and innovators. He is highly involved in connecting the Lebanese ecosystem with international partners. Ramy holds a BS in Agriculture from the American University of Beirut, and a MS in Management and Economics.
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Rayan Kahale
Lebanon
Interior Architect and Urban Planner
Rayan Kahale
Interior Architect and Urban Planner
Rayan Kahale is an Interior Architect and Urban Planner. She trained in Architecture and Design since 2006 and, in 2013, expanded to the field of Urban Planning and pursued a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy at the American University of Beirut. During her years at AUB she found her passion in the fields of water resource management and political ecology, and focused her research on understanding the challenges of urban water services, especially in post-conflict contexts. Using the analytical tools of political ecology and hydro-social cycles to understand the layers of complexity in urban water provision, she chose the capital’s central neighborhood of Ras Beirut as her case study. Rayan’s work is primarily focused on unpacking the hybrid urban water networks, both physical and institutional, as key entry points for efficient policy making and planning.
Rayan obtained her first Masters of Fine Arts from ALBA (Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts) in 2006. She started her career as a research assistant at OIB (Orient Institute Beirut) working on the documentation of the Debbane Palace in Saida. For the past twelve years Rayan has been managing architecture and interior projects in the Arab region and Europe.
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Dr. Dany El-Obeid
Lebanon
PhD in Agronomy – Lebanese University
Dr. Dany El-Obeid
PhD in Agronomy – Lebanese University
Since 2008, Dr El-Obeid is an instructor in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Agriculture and environmental sciences teaching classes of Reforestation, Geography, Beekeeping, Environmental awareness, Ecology, and Waste management.
He is a member of the Technical Committee for the beekeeper in the Ministry of Agriculture.
He attended COP24 with an interest of the effect of climate change on agriculture. He is interested in entrepreneurship mainly for agriculture and environmental startups.
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Core Team
Dona Geagea
Canada
Global Lead – Water Innovation Labs
Dona Geagea
Global Lead – Water Innovation Labs
Dona is the Global Lead at Waterlution for the Water Innovation Labs (WIL) program, a world-class Waterlution training in 21st century skills for young water leaders, and is leading the planning and delivery of the first WIL in Lebanon and the Arab World. She has over a decade of experience working as a facilitator in multi-sector environments, including the past 8 years working in the water sector. She has been involved in the Water Innovation Labs since 2013 in countries ranging from Canada, to Scotland, Netherlands, India, Portugal, Australia and Mexico.
With a Master degree from the Centre for Globalization and Human Condition at McMaster University (Canada), and a joint graduate diploma from the United Nations University- Institute for Water, Environment and Health (INWEH), she has been active in organising workshops at the international level, including at the 7th & 8th World Water Forum in South Korea and Brasil respectively, Singapore International Water Week, and Budapest Water Summit.
Trained in the Art of Hosting, OASIS methodology, Processwork, Systems-thinking, and Cooperation Pedagogy, she has been designing transformative experiences for people and projects at the intersection of social and technical innovation and leadership. As a member of the global organisation Water Youth Network, and in her role with Waterlution, she has been an advocate of inclusion of youth in high level decision making, and is keen to best prepare the next gen of water leaders to lead and innovate in a complexity-ridden and uncertain future.
It has been Dona’s dream to bring the Water Innovation Lab to Lebanon (being a Lebanese-Canadian and recognizing the urgent need for supporting the youth of this region) and she is so pleased to see it coming to life while building ongoing programming to complement it and a strategy to expand it to the region over the next years.
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Bassel Daher
Lebanon/United States
Research Associate at Texas A&M University’s Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research Group
Bassel Daher
Research Associate at Texas A&M University’s Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research Group – Lebanon/United States
Beyond his role as Research Associate at Texas A&M University’s Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research Group, Bassel is also a Coordinator of the San Antonio Case Studies at the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Initiative (since 2016). Bassel’s work focuses on policy-oriented research in natural resource management, environmental sustainability, and resource security. He is particularly interested in developing Water-Energy-Food Nexus solutions that respond to biophysical, socioeconomic, governance, and financing constraints, at multiple scales, and in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. He has expertise in water-energy-food nexus analytics and the development of resource allocation assessment tools. His focus lies in developing analytics to catalyze dialogue, and improve cooperation, between cross-sectoral stakeholders.
Bassel is soon to graduate with a PhD in Water Management and Hydrologic Sciences at Texas A&M and holds a B.Sc. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the American University of Beirut (2010), and an MSE (2012) from Purdue University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering-Multi-Scale Hydrology Group. He was also a Research Associate (2012-2014) with the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Doha and has contributed to multiple chapters of the UN Global Sustainable Development Report, co-authored a report on “Renewable Energy and the Water, Energy, and Food Nexus” for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and has contributed to or authored more than 20 journal articles, book chapters, and policy briefs relating to the interconnected water-energy-food securities and nexus assessment tools, including with Chatham House, Water International, and Science of the Total Environment.
Bassel is keen to develop bridges around the theme of “Building Resilience in Water-Energy-Food-Health systems” through his work on this topic in the Unites States, and through opportunities for collaboration with young leaders and experts at WIL Lebanon.
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Sara Dia
Lebanon
WIL Lebanon Liaison
Sara Dia
WIL Lebanon Liaison
Sara has over five years of experience in surface water quality monitoring, analysis and treatment. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Environmental technology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon in 2016. She works as an assistant researcher at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the American University of Beirut on monitoring the Qaraoun reservoir’s water quality in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, contributing to the historical dataset. She also worked with the Dutch company World Waternet on “Strengthening Lebanese Water and Agriculture Sector” project as a water quality specialist. Sara participated in Waterlution’s H2O Global Leaders and Water Innovation Lab Canada. WIL Canada’s empowering and remarkable training in tackling complex water issues enthused Sara to be part of WIL Lebanon team whereby she is keen to host the same rich and motivational experience with the youth in Lebanon and the region.
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Georges Gharios
Lebanon
Water Law at the University of Dundee in Scotland
Georges Gharios
Water Law at the University of Dundee in Scotland
Georges is a PhD Candidate in Water Law at the University of Dundee in Scotland, UK since 2016. His work focuses on Islamic and Ottoman water laws, traditional knowledge, legal pluralism, and social water arrangements. He is particularly interested on customs and practices of water conservation in Lebanon and the Arab Levant. Georges has also expertise in International land and water management, Integrated Water Resources Management, Water Reform, and Water Users’ Associations. Gharios has edited and reviewed multiple chapters of the ‘Arab Water Report 2013’, co-authored the five-year plan ‘Blue Gold of Lebanon’, and has several other journal articles and attested presented conferences related to the topic of water laws and governance. Georges held teaching posts during five years at the American University of Technology in Halat where he taught several courses on water law, water policy, water politics, and soil sciences.
In 2007, he was recipient of the Edgecombe Memorial Prize in recognition of outstanding scores at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon from where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (2007) and a Diploma of Ingenieur Agricole (2007). He also holds a Master of Science in International Land and Water Management (2009) from Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands. He is an active member of the International Water Association (IWA), the Arab Integrated Water Resources Management Network (AWARENET), and the Mediterranean Water Youth Network (MedYWat).
Georges is very keen to join WIL Lebanon to help promote the resilience of indigenous abilities and traditional knowledge of water management in fostering sustainable development. Through his work on social water arrangements with local communities and his experience in teaching with university students, Georges is committed to share his knowledge and skills to support the WIL Lebanon experience.
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Contact
WIL Lebanon
Dona Geagea
Global Lead, Water Innovation Labs
Email: dona@waterlution.org
Tel: +1 647 302 4594
Sara Dia
WIL Lebanon Coordinator
Email: wil.lebanon@gmail.com
Tel: +961 70 798 148