The World Commission on Dams (WCD) existed between April 1997 and 2001, to research the environmental, social and economic impacts of the development of large
dams
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, ...
globally. The self-styled WCD consisted of members of
civil society
Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business, and including the family and the private sphere.[multistakeholder governance
Multistakeholder governance is a practice of governance that employs bringing multiple stakeholders together to participate in dialogue, decision making, and implementation of responses to jointly perceived problems. The principle behind such a st ...]
.
The ultimate outcome of the WCD was to issue a final report which was launched under the patronage of
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
in November 2000. The WCD recommended ten guidelines for dam building.
International Rivers
The World Commission on Dams Framework - a Brief Introduction, February 29, 2008.
References
External links
Dams and Development: a new framework for decision-making
(Final Report, November 2000)
World Commission on Dams
at UNEP
World Commission on Dams
{{Authority control
International environmental organizations
International human rights organizations
Organizations established in 1997