Casey Walther, Water Projects Coordinator, UNESCO Office for Iraq

UNESCO water specialist, Casey Walther, ascending from the karez in Kuna Flusa Village. (UNESCO/Sebastian Mayer)

UNESCO water specialist, Casey Walther, inspecting the ancient underground tunnel of the karez in Zebarok Village. (UNESCO/Sebastian Mayer)

Casey Walther is one of many Americans currently working for UNESCO. Walther, the officer in charge of UNESCO’s water and environment activities in Iraq, gives a peek into his fascinating day-to-day work on the ground in the war-torn country.
(Interview conducted by Rachael Levy, intern, USUNESCO)

Tracking down Casey Walther wasn’t an easy task.  Only occasionally does UNESCO’s “water guy” in Iraq make the trip to Paris headquarters.  Nonetheless, learning about his first-hand experience in helping build up Iraq’s capacity to deal with the water crisis was worth the effort. Walther, a native Texan, recounts some of his 9-year career with the organization, revealing his beginnings at headquarters and how he later became UNESCO’s Natural Science Programme Officer in Iraq.

U.S. Mission: How did you start working with UNESCO?
CW: I originally came to Paris to go to graduate school in 2000, and ended up starting as an intern in UNESCO’s external relations department later that year.  That was the beginning of my 9 years at UNESCO.  In 2002, I took a year off to continue graduate studies in the UK.  At the end of 2008, I left headquarters in Paris to join the UNESCO Iraq Office where I now head the Natural Sciences Programme.

Where did you go to university?
I graduated from Texas Lutheran University with a degree in international business and a minor emphasis in biochemistry.  I have Masters degrees from Schiller International University (international relations) and Oxford University (development). 

Why did you want to work in development at UNESCO?
I’m driven by a desire to be part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem.  Working in development issues helps to satisfy that need.  The holistic approach of UNESCO to addressing some of the world’s big issues really spoke to me.  Our generation has the difficult challenge of finding local solutions for global problems, which is why I initially became interested in issues relating to the environment and water.  A humanitarian at heart, I soon learned that we can make an impact on peoples’ lives by working through the natural environment.  I’m happy to say that I’m applying that ethos in the field in Iraq.

Why did you want to work in Iraq with UNESCO?
I was attracted to the prospect of being at the front-lines of building peace.  UNESCO’s mandate offers a unique experience in the post-conflict situation, where so-called “soft” issues such as education, water, information and culture can provide the building blocks of peace.  When you consider how integrated our world has become, UNESCO’s role is essentially to bring the best of societies together to help bridge the forces that divide them.   The opportunity of working in Iraq also provided me, as an American, a true sense of service and humility. 

What would you like others to know about your job that they may not be aware of?
There are other issues underpinning the political instability in Iraq that could be the tipping point for peace or more conflict.  One of them is the ongoing water crisis that, if better addressed, could help galvanize a lasting peace not only in Iraq but in the region.  UNESCO is working to address the issue through various local and nation-wide projects.  We are helping to provide sustainable supplies of water to rural communities by rehabilitating ancient irrigation systems, called "karez."  At the national level, we are building up the Iraqi Government’s ability to manage their water more effectively by providing tools and training.  For example, we recently launched an initiative to identify and establish an inventory of all the groundwater in Iraq, which will give a new picture of how much water exists in Iraq and where to find it.  Another big issue is the Marshlands of Mesopotamia—“the cradle of civilization”—which are sadly on the brink of disappearing completely.   UNESCO, along with other partners, is working to help preserve this precious world heritage before it is too late.  

How are UNESCO’s projects implemented in the field?
It depends on the scope of the project itself.  With the rehabilitation project I just mentioned, we work directly with local communities. In addition, we work with government experts, universities, NGOs and the private sector to generate sound organizational policies and natural resource management strategies. 

Your office is based in Amman, Jordan?
Yes, I’m based in Amman but I travel frequently to Iraq.  Working remotely is a great challenge.  My missions to Iraq tend to be frequent and intense in order to take advantage of  being on the ground. 

Do you feel secure when you are working in Iraq?
Generally, yes.  The threat of something happening is always there and security can be unpredictable, but my UN colleagues and I are very well protected.  In the more stable north, mobility is much easier.  However, many parts of the country still pose a substantial threat, so we continue to follow very stringent protocols.  U.S. forces have been there to protect us and facilitate our job on the ground. 

How many people do you think are affected by UNESCO Iraq projects?
We’re actually in the process of calculating exact numbers.  For one of the projects, I could roughly estimate around 30,000 people, although these numbers are not definitive. 

How does your work help UNESCO’s pursuit of its mandate and how does your work help meet UNESCO’s objectives?
UNESCO’s mandate in the natural sciences translates into a duty to assist nations in improving the use of their natural resources in a more sustainable manner.  Within that context, our programme in Iraq aims to promote more efficient use of water and to develop the natural environment.  The Iraqi people are our beneficiaries, ranging from some of the most vulnerable people to government experts. 

How does UNESCO cooperate with other UN bodies in Iraq?
We are 17 agencies and programmes working together as a team.  Each agency brings specialized expertise and capacities to the table, so we get to benefit from one another.  With this team approach, UNESCO’s expertise in education, culture, water and science is applied to the work of other agencies, and vice-versa.  Our “whole is greater than the sum of our parts”.  In my particular case, I work closely with UNDP, FAO and UNICEF on issues ranging from agriculture to drought. 

What should more of our readers know when it comes to UNESCO?
UNESCO aims to serve the common good of all member states, including the U.S.  By working on soft issues like education, science, communication and technology, UNESCO can help bridge the socio-cultural divide between sovereign states.  Through our agency, American expertise and knowledge can be used to foster peace among people of different cultures and origins.

UNESCO helps advance international standards for science, culture and education – areas that the United States can both share and benefit from.  It is important that people are aware that UNESCO is more than protecting World Heritage sites or promoting education for all.  Its specialized capacity in other areas like water, environment, ethics and communications is what drives the holistic approach to dealing with complex issues like conflict, poverty, and climate change.
 
Any other career highlights you would like to share?
My job has allowed me to witness the impact of my work first-hand.  I have seen people benefit from projects that I’ve personally designed and am fortunate to be able to interact with those that have been affected by our office’s operations.  It has been very fulfilling.

Thank you for your time!
It was a pleasure.