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

World Bank guidance - defining responsibilities

The Participation and Civic Engagement website of the World Bank comprises information on participation strategies, tools and methods, proceedings of workshops - learning tools, key readings and case studies. The Participation and Civic Engagement Group 'promotes methods and approaches that encourage stakeholders, especially the poor, to influence and share control over priority setting, policy making, resource allocations and access to public goods and services'.

In its response to the WCD report, the World Bank notes that under its existing safeguard policies:

'…key stakeholders are systematically identified and involved in project planning and implementation; upstream meaningful consultations are held with affected groups to guide project decision making, and their views and preferences are reflected in the plans developed as an integral part of the project'.

As a follow-up to the WCD report, the World Bank commissioned a study on 'Stakeholder Involvement in Options Assessment'. It proposes adding a third dimension - Responsibilities - to the Rights and Risks framework of WCD (see Table 4.3 on p.60):

'The responsibilities of governments for water management and service provision for all citizens, and the responsibilities for all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to facilitate development decisions. This means involvement of appropriate representatives from governments, nongovernment bodies, peoples' action groups, regulators, utilities, financiers and partnerships'.

One of the conclusions is that 'There is overwhelming evidence that dam projects that are planned and implemented without stakeholder involvement face a much greater risk of disruption and ongoing controversy, which makes it even more difficult for the next project. The potential cost of such disruptions - in terms of delays, cost escalation, and reduced benefits - typically outweighs the cost of involving stakeholders. (p. 35)

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