Many people around the world are preparing an International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life, which will take place on March 14th, 2001. Last year, nearly 70 actions took place in 26 countries to celebrate the Day of Action. From Australia to Uganda, tens of thousands of people participated in demonstrations, rallies, educational events and ceremonies. Even more people are expected to participate this year.
The Day of Action was inspired by participants at the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams held in Curitiba, Brazil in 1997. They declared, "We are strong, diverse, and united and our cause is just. To symbolize our growing unity, we declare that March 14th --the Brazilian Day of Struggles Against Dams-- will from now on become the International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life."
Over the last year, the anti-dam movement has gained huge momentum --from the release of the highly critical World Commission on Dams report to unprecedented networking in Latin America, Asia and Africa to promising dam removal efforts in Asia, Europe and North America. The idea is to keep the momentum growing.
People and organizations throughout the world are asked to plan an event on March 14 as part of the Day of Action. International Rivers Network serves as the International Coordinator for the Day of Action and its website contains information on previous Days of Action as well as on this year's.
