African Rivers Network
When the World Commission on Dams hosted the African Middle East Regional
Consultation in Cairo in 1999, an NGO and dam affected peoples meeting
organised by EMG agreed on the need for an African network for those
working on large dam issues. After a number of years and with a range
of partners, the African Rivers Network was formed in 2003 during the
preparation for Rivers for life: the Second International Meeting
of Dam-affected people and their Allies, held in Thailand in November
2003.
ARN’s Mission
ARN is a network of dam-affected communities, NGOs and other allies
working towards ecological sustainability and social justice in the
arena of large dams and their alternatives. ARN fulfils its mission
through working together, influencing decision-making, amplifying community
voices and rights, and capacitating African countries.
ARN’s Vision
A people-centred development in Africa where
* Decision-making on water and energy development includes alternatives
to large dams
* Human rights and community acceptance of decisions are the cornerstone,
as well as reparations of outstanding social injustices, and
* Ecological sustainability should be the legacy for the future generation.
ARN Chair
Frank Muramuzi, National Association of Professional Environmentalists
ARN’s Structure
The structure of ARN is based on the following principles:
· Networking
· Equal power sharing
· Gender balance
· Region based
It was decided that network would be loose and un-registered, and should
be managed by a Coordinating Committee, which includes approximately
eight members: one representative per geographical region (North, West,
East, Central, and South); two dam-affected representatives; and one
additional representative from the Francophone countries. Each region
is to select a back up member in case the regional representative leaves.
The Committee Chair shall be selected from one of the regions
ARN Coordinating Committee
1. Mr. Frank Muramuzi (Uganda), East Africa
2. Mr Thabang Ngcozela (South Africa), South Africa
3. Mr. Taieb Boumeaza (Morocco), North Africa
4. Mr. Jacques Bakulu (DRC), Central Africa
5. Ms. Miriam Thenjiwe (South Africa), Dam Affected
6. Dr. Idris Muslim (Nigeria), Dam Affected
7. Mr. Hope Ogbeide (Nigeria), West Africa
8. Mr. Bryan Ashe (South Africa) Coordination Communication (English)
9. Mr. Sena Alouka (Togo) Coordination Communication (French)
ARN Focal Strategies for 2005 - 2007
Promotion of the WCD: Creation of awareness and dissemination
of the WCD report; Empowerment of local communities on WCD core values
and strategic priorities; Promotion of alternatives to large dams. Engaging
with regional bodies like NEPAD, ADB, ARAB BANK etc, and the promotion
of national multi-stakeholder workshops on the WCD.
Dam-Affected Communities: Help dam affected communities understand
their rights and engage them in the whole dam building process as possible.
Organize DAC in coalitions to build their structures for representation.
Promote dialogue on dam-related issues. Research and document success
stories on alternatives to dams. Encourage experience sharing between
dam-affected communities. Involve government delegation in ARN meetings.
Promotion of Alternative Energies: Advocate for smaller dams that can
cater for energy needs in different places since they have less impact
on people and are less expensive. Civil society organization should
advocate for renewable alternative energy sources. Document and present
cases of alternative projects. Look for different financiers of such
projects like CIDA and SIDA other than looking to only the World Bank
and Africa Development Bank. Don’t focus on old dams only but
also look at impacts of recent dams.
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