New Avenues for Cooperation between UCW and the LEPSY Network Partners

 

 

‹›×

The LEPSY Network, established in 2023, currently brings together 9 universities and 2 silent partners with the aim of fostering cooperation through their educational and research programmes in order to effectively address current societal challenges. On 3 February 2026, a key professional session of the 3rd Coordination Meeting of the Law Enforcement, Security and Psychology (LEPSY) CEEPUS Network was held at the John Lukács Room of Ludovika University of Public Service. The session, organized and moderated by the UNESCO Chair in Water Conflict Management (UCW), brought together leading representatives of higher education institutions from Central and South-Eastern Europe, enabling the discussion on strategic issues at the intersection of water diplomacy and security policy.

In the opening part of the programme, Professor András Szöllősi-Nagy delivered a comprehensive presentation on the challenges, conflicts, and cooperation opportunities in the governance of shared water resources. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Dejan Komatina on the vision, mission, activities, and international partnerships of UCW, while Dr. Tamás Pálvölgyi outlined the key features of the International Water Governance and Water Diplomacy Master’s programme.

After a short break, the introductory session was followed by an interactive, scenario-based strategic discussion. The joint analysis of a fictional transboundary water governance challenge served as a catalyst for exchange, enabling participants to identify common perspectives and, subsequently, possible avenues for future cooperation between UCW and the LEPSY Network.

The discussion highlighted that themes such as water security, the protection of critical infrastructure, crisis management, and negotiation and mediation constitute strong points of connection between UCW and the LEPSY Network. Participants identified several potential cooperation mechanisms, including joint online seminars, guest lectures, and CEEPUS-based teacher and student mobility opportunities in the coming year. They also agreed to develop a project proposal that would facilitate the practical implementation of joint activities.

Overall, the session marked an important step in strengthening the UCW’s role as a bridge-builder between water diplomacy and security policy, thereby further enhancing Ludovika University’s international embeddedness and policy relevance.