HBKU’s Third Annual Student Conference on Water-Energy-Food Nexus Looking into Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Development

Water, energy and food are inextricably linked, with both energy and water vital to the whole agro-food supply chain. However, with growing demand for energy and increasingly strained water resources across the globe, we are heading towards a collision course unless we find a sustainable solution ensuring water, energy and food security. The global community has recognized these challenges, but has so far addressed them in isolation, within sectorial boundaries.

The key to moving forward is through adopting a holistic approach, one that integrates WEF-N and sustainability and does not treat them independently. This integration will not only greatly improve distribution efficiency but will also contribute to global sustainable development and resource equity amongst individuals and communities.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Islamic Studies (CIS) explored the issue further through the Third Annual Student Conference (ASC) on ‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEF-N): Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Development’. Hosted by CIS’s Public Policy in Islam Program (PPIP) , the conference addressed linkages that exist between Islamic principles and practical technical approaches that governments can use to develop sustainable policies in the region. The event brought together graduate students and experts from around the globe and provided them with an interactive platform where they presented their ideas and research concepts on WEF-N and sustainability.

Topics covered included the role of Islam in this nexus, Qatar’s case study alongside others from across the Middle East, comparative perspectives from other parts of the world, and the role civil society plays in increasing awareness of this subject.  The conference encouraged attendees to discuss various issues related to solution driven concepts, research frameworks, technological innovations, and policy implementation.

The event encouraged individuals to broaden their intellectual capacity by defining problems and solving them through evidence-based research findings. This further contributes to the Qatar National Development Strategy, which envisions strategic integration of sustainable development principles, policies and programs and integral reservation of the environmental resources.