Networks - ARN

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.