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Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. 17 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 Levels of participation How to identify the stakeholders Assessing social impacts Prior informed consent What do ADB policies and strategies say? 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

Participatory processes - involving people

How are the views of stakeholders taken into account?

Participation in decision-making was identified as an important element of development at the Word Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg in 2002. The WSSD Declaration stated:

'We recognize sustainable development requires a long-term perspective and broad-based participation in policy formulation, decision-making and implementation at all levels. As social partners we will continue to work for stable partnerships with all major groups respecting the independent, important roles of each of these'.

See The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development

Numerous approaches to participation have evolved and processes vary considerably depending on the nature of the proposal, the stage of planning (from policy formulation through to detailed project planning) and the political and social context within which decisions are taken.

Within this diversity however, there are some basic common principles and features. This section draws on recent guidance on:

• What are the different levels of participation?
• How to identify the stakeholders - defining rights, risks and responsibilities
• Assessing social impacts
• What does 'prior informed consent' mean in practice?
• What do ADB policies and strategies say?

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