7 February 2001
UK Pledges Support for Implementation of WCD Recommendations
Report from British Dams Society London seminar

More than 100 representatives of government departments, the private sector, NGOs and the academic community participated in a national dialogue on the WCD report hosted by the British Dams Society on February 1st , in London.

The meeting held at One Great George Street, home to the famous Institution of Civil Engineers offered the first formal opportunity for stakeholders in the UK to present their views on the WCD report and explore options for follow up - both within the UK and in terms of the involvement of UK actors internationally.

In a keynote address at the meeting, Chris Mullin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, presented the UK Government's response to the WCD report. "The report is an impressive achievement. Not least because 12 people, representing a range of views, have managed to reach consensus…….the report puts people at the centre. This is a consistent theme and it is the report's greatest strength. Dams are not seen as intrinsically good or bad, but as capable of delivering benefits".

He went on to stress that Her Majesty's Government had already established a cross-departmental review to coordinate a new approach following the publication of the WCD report including an assessment of the implications for export credit guarantees. Perhaps of greatest significance was his pledge that, "DFID will offer support to governments in developing countries wanting to implement the Dams Commission report. We are willing to provide assistance on applying criteria and implementing the guidelines…".

The second keynote address was given by Geoff Sims, member of the British Dams Society and Vice President of ICOLD. Speaking in his personal capacity, Mr. Sims noted that many ICOLD members had welcomed the WCD report while noting that "some of my ICOLD colleagues are anxious lest the procedure proposed by the WCD will add unacceptable cost and time to desperately needed projects". In reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the report Mr. Sims concludes that "as engineers we have a duty to use this document and the guidance it contains for the betterment of mankind. It is our duty to communicate with people who have no technical education but whose lives are deeply affected by our projects". He called upon ICOLD to promote a culture of evaluation and self-learning and to develop guidelines to help engineers communicate effectively with non-technical people.

Much of the one day workshop was taken up by a range of presentations on the report and particular aspects of the WCD's findings and recommendations. A number of speakers questioned the factual basis of the report in some key areas and noted its lack of depth on certain issues as well as its overall balance in presenting the evidence on benefits and costs of dams. Others viewed its publication as a historic opportunity and described the report as breaking new ground on many aspects. Some also questioned the Commission's decision not to promote a formal follow-up process. Throughout the day a lively and very constructive dialogue developed among speakers and participants with general agreement emerging that the Commission's proposed framework for decision-making will become a significant reference point for future policy and practise in the field of dam construction and operation.

In concluding the meeting, Professor Adrian Long, who chaired the discussions noted that the focus of attention must now shift to follow up - both within the profession but also in terms of a productive dialogue with the various stakeholders in the UK. It is expected that a consultation by Government with the private sector, NGOs and academics will be convened in the near future to chart the way forward.