UNESCO Chair in Water Conflict Management Launches Its First Student Science Club Event
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On 15 October 2026, the UNESCO Chair in Water Conflict Management (UCW) held the first Student Science Club event of the 2026/2027 academic year at the Faculty of Water Sciences, Ludovika University of Public Service. The event also marked the first scientific gathering organised under UCW BlueBridge, a student initiative dedicated to strengthening intergenerational dialogue and encouraging young people’s engagement in water diplomacy.
The Student Science Club aims to provide students and faculty members with opportunities for informal scientific dialogue beyond the traditional classroom setting, focusing on current challenges in water policy, water governance, and water diplomacy. The event series is planned to continue on a monthly basis.
The event was opened by Dr Tamás Pálvölgyi, Vice-Dean for Strategy and International Affairs at the Faculty of Water Sciences.
The first presentation was delivered by Gerta Lubonja, visiting Budapest through the Ludovika Scholars Program. Her lecture, entitled “Sectoral Approach in National Water Policy Reforms in Albania: Lessons Learned,” explored Albania’s experiences with water policy reforms and highlighted the importance of sectoral approaches to water governance.
The second speaker, Sára Füleki, a first-year student of the MA programme in International Water Governance and Water Diplomacy, presented “Opportunities for Water Cooperation in Central Asia: The Role of the EU and Hungary in Tajikistan’s Water Management.” Her presentation examined opportunities for regional water cooperation in Central Asia, with particular attention to the potential roles of the European Union and Hungary.
This inaugural event marked an important milestone in building the UCW student community, reflecting the Chair’s commitment to empowering young people not only as participants in scientific discussions but also as active contributors to addressing water-related challenges and conflicts.
In line with the UCW BlueBridge motto, “Connecting Generations Through Water Diplomacy,” the Student Science Club aspires to become an open and inclusive platform for scientific exchange, bringing together the knowledge, experience, and perspectives of different generations to contribute to a more sustainable and water-secure future.