Water is an essential resource for human existence, and it is imperative that we manage it sustainably. Every year, several conferences and events are organized worldwide to discuss water-related issues and promote water conservation. One of the leading events in this regard is the World Water Week, hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). The integration of ideas and recommendations from World Water Week into high-level policies and strategies has been met with a mixed level of achievement. Therefore, it is essential to understand how the network of people involved with World Water Week is connected to those coordinating and promoting the efforts of different United Nations (UN) agencies and departments in relation to water issues.
To this end, the Water for Tomorrow team, with Polinode and TNC’s Conservation Technology Strategist, Niraj Swami, is using social network analysis to track and analyze how individuals and organizations tweet during the UN 2023 Water Conference and New York Water Week. The aim of this analysis is to unveil valuable insights into the conference’s impact, attendee priorities, influential voices, and themes that shape water-related policy and actions. These findings may inform a subsequent analysis of World Water Week later in the year.
The research question of this study is, "How does the network structure of Twitter users engaging with and discussing World Water Week 2022, COP27 in 2022, and the upcoming UN 2023 Water Conference vary in terms of community structure and connectivity, and how do these network characteristics relate to the influence on water-related policy and actions?" The hypothesis is that narrow bridges exist between the different groups of individuals and organizations participating in World Water Week and those involved in higher-level policy change on water and climate-related issues (e.g., UN Water Conference, COP27).
To test this hypothesis, the researchers are exploring the community structure and connectivity of Twitter users who have engaged with the following hashtags: #WWWeek, #UN-Water, #WorldWaterDay, #nywaterweek, #wateraction, #cop27, and #goal6. Additionally, they are looking at more specific hashtags related to water such as #water, #wastewater, #wash, #freshwater, #sanitation, and #hygiene. By analyzing the network of Twitter users engaging with these hashtags, the researchers can identify different communities and their connections, and how they relate to each other in terms of influence on water-related policy and actions.
The findings from this study may have significant implications for water-related policies and actions. The identification of different communities and their connections can help policymakers and decision-makers understand the network structure of individuals and organizations involved in water-related issues. This understanding can help policymakers and decision-makers identify gaps in connectivity between different groups and develop strategies to bridge these gaps. By doing so, policymakers and decision-makers can promote more effective communication, collaboration, and coordination among individuals and organizations working towards sustainable water management.
In conclusion, social network analysis of Twitter users engaging with water-related hashtags can provide valuable insights into the network structure of individuals and organizations involved in water-related issues. The findings from this study may help policymakers and decision-makers identify gaps in connectivity between different groups and develop strategies to bridge these gaps. Ultimately, this can promote more effective communication, collaboration, and coordination among individuals and organizations working towards sustainable water management.
Kommentare