[Newsletter Contents]

Translations Underway
Spanish, Chinese and French versions in preparation

WCD is trying to respond to demands for the Report in different languages, while ensuring quality control, that is to say ­ making certain the spirit, findings and details agreed to in the English Dams and Development is "not lost in translation." Updates:

Chinese
Chengdu, 27 February 2001 ­ Earthscan China has been in talks about publishing a Chinese version of Dams and Development, as there appears to be solid interest in both the findings of the Report in the global review, and in how to apply the strategic priorities in moving forward.

Writes John D. Liu, Director, Environmental Education Television Project for China, "Obviously, there is controversy surrounding dams in China. However, the Earthscan China Committee position is that we are providing Chinese policy makers and the public with scientific data that is required to make informed decisions about dams. We do not exactly know what the market is likely to be in China but there is a chance that the book will be a surprise to everyone and take off.

Whether it goes into reprints or whether the book gets only one chance on the market, we believe that it is needed and deserves to be in Chinese. We also believe that the information will go into the general understanding and have a profound effect on the future."

Spanish
San Jose, Costa Rica, 14 March 2001 ­ Working with the IUCN office in Costa Rica, the WCD has completed a final draft Spanish translation of its report, Represas y Desarrollo: Un Nuevo Marco para la Toma de Decisiones.

It is currently being formatted, and we will announce a publisher within the next month.

French
At the WCD presentation in Dakar, Senegal, there was strong interest in publishing a version in French. Discussions are underway with several potential translators and publishers.

Polish
WCD has received and uploaded a peer-reviewed Polish version of its 28-page Overview bring the total of summary languages to ten