Guest Lecture - Università degli Studi di Firenze

Filippo Verre - September 25, 2023

Friday 25 September 2023 Dr. Filippo Verre presented a Guest Lecture entitled: "Hydro-Strategy. Framework and perspectives" as part of the advanced course in “Intelligence and National Security” held at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Florence.

Hydro-Strategy in the Context of National Security

Dr. Verre introduced the concept of hydro-strategy, explaining how water management is not only an environmental and economic issue, but a key factor for a country's security. He illustrated how the availability and distribution of water resources can influence international relations, internal political stability and food security. In a world increasingly affected by climate change, migration and demographic pressures, competition for access to water is destined to become a source of tension, but also an opportunity for international cooperation.

Threats and Opportunities for National Security

Filippo Verre highlighted some of the main threats to national security related to water management, such as water crises that can cause internal and external conflicts, regional instability and forced migration. He analyzed concrete cases, such as the Middle East and North Africa, where tensions over access to water have already become triggers for conflicts. However, he also discussed the strategic opportunities offered by hydro-strategy, in particular the possibility of using cross-border cooperation and water diplomacy as tools to prevent conflicts and foster peace.

Future Prospects and Challenges

During the lecture, Dr. Verre outlined the future prospects of hydro-strategy, underlining the need for long-term planning by governments to ensure a safe and sustainable water supply. He emphasized the importance of integrating water and security policies, inviting future leaders and decision-makers to consider water as a strategic resource at the national level. He also highlighted the role of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital resource management, in improving the efficiency and resilience of water systems.

Filippo Verre's Guest Lecture ended with a lively debate, in which the participants of the advanced course in “Intelligence and National Security” had the opportunity to discuss the practical challenges related to the integration of hydro-strategy into national security policies. Dr. Verre reiterated that, in the current context of increasing water scarcity, hydro-strategy is not only a necessity for the sustainable management of resources, but a crucial element to ensure the stability and security of countries in the long term.

Below are some images of the event. At this link the slides of the lesson https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iZGgkOrOjQg4tkbGIUQZqJvUGZcWNc1s/view?usp=sharing.