On November 28,
2003, roughly 300 grassroots activists, people affected by large
dams and representatives from NGOs gathered in a small village in Rasi Salai
district in Northeast Thailand. They met for a five-day
conference on large dams under the rallying cry of “Rivers for Life.” The conference
provided a forum for activists to exchange experiences, evaluate progress and devise
new strategies to protect rivers, cultures and livelihoods from large dams.
As many dam builders have become painfully aware, dam
fighters and critics have formed one of the most effective international civil society
networks. The network’s power has come from its base of strong grassroots movements
of people directly affected by dams.
To find out more about Rivers for Life, please look at the meeting
declaration or download the proceedings.
Watch a short video about the meeting.
