"Currents of Resistance to the Policies of Water Governance in Iran"

A lecture by Dr. Elham Hoominfar

Water resources and projects are understood as hydrosocial territories—complex spatial configurations encompassing people, institutions, water flows, hydraulic technologies, and the biophysical environment, all interconnected through the governance and control of water. In Iran, centralized governance and non-democratic decision-making processes have intensified environmental degradation and widened social inequalities. In response to this ecological injustice, grassroot social movements have emerged as powerful advocates, defending the environment, championing the interests of local communities, and promoting sustainable, resilient solutions for managing water resources. This talk will explore how social movements and environmental activists in Iran resist centralized water governance associated with development projects, advocating for social and ecological interests.