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International Day of Action for Rivers

Taking Action for Rivers on March 14

Water for Life, and NOT for Profit!

Eleven years ago, the first participants of what would become a global event of immeasurable significance inaugurated the International Day of Action in Curitiba, Brazil. They were eager to designate a day of protest against construction of destructive, often privately-owned dams and hydroelectric projects, but also excited to establish a high-profile event to celebrate rivers. Even more important, they were poised to create a powerful, multinational network of citizens committed to the preservation of rivers, water and life. Today, communities in every region of the world take part in the International Day of Action for Rivers, and we ask you to do the same this March 14th, 2009.


 

JOIN US by organizing your own action in 2009! Let us know about your plans by e-mailing dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org, and be sure to take lots of photos and share them with us after your event. We look forward to hearing from you!



Download Day of Action Materials!

International Rivers has a full color one-page brochure to inspire groups to participate in the Day of Action. Download the brochure (PDF) or write to dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org to request copies.


International Rivers has a four-page fact sheet describing past actions around the world. Download the fact sheet (PDF). Currently available for download only.

In 2008, communities around the world organized to honor the International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life. Tens of thousands of people took more than 100 actions in more than 35 countries!

Actions were carried out by groups large and small where major dams are being or have been built and ranged from protests, mass demonstrations and rallies to informative discussions, conferences, exhibitions and petition-writing, to celebrations both spiritual and secular where rivers and water were honored and enjoyed.

Many of these meetings and demonstrations in Africa and Latin America, for example, concentrated on the concept of water as a human right, as well as on the imperative need to resist further privatization of this resource. The variety of events also extended to the United States, where community members joined together to clean the Sacramento River and to South and Southeast Asia, where community members celebrated rivers with prayer and ethnic music and dance.