Johanna will give a presentation with the title "The Power of Words: Human Rights and Justice Approaches in National Water Strategies".

This article examines the use and omission of human rights and justice terminology in national water strategies and the potential implications for policy impact, social equity, and alignment with international standards. Despite global recognition of water as a human right (UNGA 2010), national policies vary widely in their use of rights-based and justice-oriented language. Through a comparative analysis of water strategies from diverse geopolitical and socio-economic contexts, this study categorizes the different approaches to terminology: a) explicit use of human rights and justice language, b) implicit integration of human rights and justice principles, and c) complete omission of rights- and justice-based framing. A working hypothesis suggests that countries with explicit human rights language in water strategies tend to prioritize equitable access to water and may foster greater public accountability. Conversely, nations that exclude these terms often face challenges in promoting equity and inclusivity in water access, potentially marginalizing vulnerable communities. Factors influencing terminology choices include political sensitivities, enforcement capacities, and alignment with international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU Water Directive. This study underscores the significance of terminology in shaping water policy effectiveness and advocates for integrating human rights language to enhance both national and global water justice outcomes. The article concludes with recommendations for policymakers to adopt rights-based language as a step toward more inclusive, just, and effective water governance.