International Day of Action Against Dams
and for Rivers, Water and Life
MARCH 14th, 2008
March 14, 2008 will be the 11th annual International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life! Last year the events included kayak trips down the Sabor River in Portugal, launchings of tiny boats heralding messages of resistance to dam construction in Mexico and “dams” made of cargo bags blocking entrances to government buildings in Iceland. You too can join dedicated and creative communities around the world to mobilize and educate! Eleven years ago, the International Day of Action was launched at the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in Curitiba, Brazil. Chosen to coincide with Brazil’s Day of Action Against Large Dams, March 14th is a day of protest and affirmation that has spread from those original 20 countries to over 50 countries and hundreds of local groups. This year we join together once again, to resist destructive river development and commodification of natural resources and to celebrate the successes over the last year.
We invite you to participate in this year’s International Day of Action by planning an event to celebrate rivers, water and life. Last year on March 14, more than 110 actions rallied together and inspired people, marking the first time that the event has initiated a response of over 100 actions since its start! Across the globe, in places where rivers and communities are impacted by dams and other projects, tens of thousands of people from at least 30 countries united on the 10th annual International Day of Action for Rivers. Actions varied from massive demonstrations outside dam agency offices and government buildings; river art competitions for children; roundtable debates and public seminars to informative canoe and kayak descents down endangered rivers. For the 11th Anniversary of the International Day of Action for Rivers, some communities have already begun organizing local events! Some of these actions include:
In MESOAMERICA, dam-affected people will hold several conferences to coincide with the International Day of Action for Rivers. Many of these meetings will concentrate on the concept of water as a human right, as well as on the imperative need to resist further privatization of this resource.
In the UNITED STATES, community members will join together to clean the Sacramento River, and Friends of the River will host a “California Rivers Festival,” which will feature exhibitions and films.
International Rivers will invite local community leaders, environmentalists and activists alike to discuss affordable energy sources that are alternatives to dam-building and other projects fostered and controlled by large corporations. Presenters will focus on the current hydro-electric projects in Patagonia proposed by private companies that could forever degrade the wild Baker and Pascua rivers if they are not stopped.
Now is the time to join these communities and organize your own action. International Rivers is here to help in any way we can!
WHAT YOU CAN DO (AND HOW WE CAN HELP)!
--Planning an event?
We are thrilled you are putting on an event and will help in any way we can. Once you provide us with information about your event, we will be able to provide you informational material, if needed, contacts to other participants and increased visibility of your actions. First of all, tell us about your event, including: (1) title, (2) location, (3) date and time, (4) contact person, and (5) a brief description (especially be sure to let us know if we should keep your event confidential). We will post it on our web site, maintain a master list, and distribute information to interested individuals. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we would greatly appreciate any photographs and short summaries of your events after they take place. SEND YOUR EVENT INFORMATION TO dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org.
--Need brochures?
We have a full color one-page brochure to inspire groups to participate in the Day of Action, and a four-page fact sheet describing past activities for the Day of Action. Please download and print these from our website, if possible. Contact us if you need printed copies of these brochures or fact sheets, background information or other materials to help promote your event and we will send them to you. Let us know how many brochures you need, and be sure to include your address. You can also download the materials at http://internationalrivers.org/day-of-action.
--Want to attend an event?
Keep checking our website (http://internationalrivers.org/day-of-action) as the Day of Action approaches to find events in your area. Be sure to contact us to double-check information. And please help spread the word!
SOME OF LAST YEAR’S ACTIONS
**BRAZIL: Demonstrations, Debates and Video Exhibitions to Facilitate Awareness of Energy Issues and Large Dams**
MAB (Movimiento dos Antigidos por Barragens) organized more than 16 events in its major cities across the country to shed light on the impacts of dams on communities’ physical and financial access to electricity. The overarching theme of the actions was “The Price of Electricity is a Rip-off”, and environmentalists, researchers, local representatives and community members joined forces to increase awareness of energy issues in relation to dams and to protest dam construction through demonstrations, theater performances, academic debates and seminars and even video exhibitions.
**BANGLADESH: Floating Press Conferences**
Angikar Bangladesh, a foundation of rights activists, organized ten press conferences that were held on boats sailing down ten distinct river points in Bangladesh. Journalists were invited to board the boats to both lend their ears and join in dialogue in response to written press conferences that were read as they traversed downstream—discussions focused on the negative implications of mega-hydro projects that will threaten the local population’s ability to depend on rivers for survival.
**PANAMA: Hands Linking People Together in Defense of their Rivers **
The Panamanian Network Against Dams, which is made up of farmers, indigenous groups and other local communities, summoned natives and farmers to form an over 600-person strong human chain under the bridges of the Cobre and Tabasará Rivers, to protest dams affecting these rivers along the Pan-American route.
**AFRICA: Water and Energy Development in Cameroon**
Global Village Cameroon held a debate on the theme “Dams and development in Cameroon: What Perspectives for the Energy Sector in Cameroon?” The roundtable discussion created a space for various players in the energy sector to analyze and brainstorm innovative solutions toward solving the country’s current energy crisis.
We look forward to hearing exciting news from you!
For the rivers,
International Rivers
1847 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94703 USA
Phone: +1.510.848.1155
Fax: +1.510.848.1008
E-mail: dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org
Web: http://internationalrivers.org/day-of-action
