Water

Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. -1 of 74 BACK | NEXT Home Page of Dams and Development Foreword I. Why an e-paper on dams and development? II. Assessing options III. Participatory processes IV. Social impacts V. Environmental impacts VI. Benefit distribution VII. Dam safety and sustainability VIII. Existing projects IX. Improving governance X. What other organizations say XI. ADB, Dams, and Development XII. References Contact Us

'Rights and Risks' approach of the World Commission on Dams

The first strategic priority of the World Commission on Dams on Gaining Public Acceptance comprises the following key message:

'Public acceptance of key decisions is essential for equitable and sustainable water and energy resources development. Acceptance emerges from recognising rights, addressing risks, and safeguarding the entitlements of all groups of affected people, particularly indigenous and tribal peoples, women and other vulnerable groups. Decision-making processes and mechanisms are used that enable informed participation by all groups of people, and result in the demonstrable acceptance of key decisions. Where projects affect indigenous and tribal peoples, such processes are guided by their free, prior and informed consent'.

The first policy principle associated with this strategic priority notes that:

'Recognition of rights and assessment of risks are the basis for the identification and inclusion of stakeholders in decision-making on energy and water resources development'.

Further elaboration on the rights and risks approach is provided in WCD's Guideline No 1: Stakeholder Analysis at p.279. A forum of stakeholder representatives is envisaged for each stage of the planning and project cycle, with the composition of the forum adapting to the changing focus from options assessment through to project-specific studies.

Some of the relevant rights identified by WCD are classified as:

• constitutional rights
• customary rights
• rights codified through legislation
• property rights
• rights of developers and investors

…and the risks include:

• voluntary risk takers (developers, investors, governments..)
• involuntary risk bearers (displaced people, those whose livelihoods are affected..)

Resolution of areas where rights compete led the WCD to propose a 'negotiated approach' to development decisions (policy principle 1.3 and Guideline #2)

Stakeholder identification for ADB projects is undertaken through the Initial Social Assessments (ISA) and reflects the differing contexts of countries with respect to the recognition of rights.

Further practical guidance on how to implement the 'rights and risks approach' is being developed through an initiative coordinated by IUCN and is expected to provide case study material for the various stages of project planning.

Back Dams and Development	Next Contact Us