"May Day" is an international distress signal for ships at sea. "May Day for Rivers" is a local distress call in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to citizens of the uMngeni catchment to help ensure the health of the uMgeni and Msunduzi Rivers and their tributaries.
Kate Ross
Job title:
Former Mekong Program Coordinator
Tagline:
For Rivers, Water and Life
Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 22:04
The following is a guest blog by Irene Bonilla, whom I was lucky enough to meet and get to know while in Temacapulín, Mexico during Rivers for Life 3 in 2010. Over the past year Irene, Steve Fisher and Carla Pataky have been working on the film "I Belong in Temaca" which you can view below. Temacapulín is a beautiful town in Los Altos de jalisco, México. In 2005 the government of Jalisco told residents that they planned to build a reservoir dam that would provide water to León, Guanajauato, and Guadalajara, Jalisco. They explained that the Temaca would be flooded and demanded that the residents sell their land and agree to be moved to a new location.Since that time the people of Temaca have been fighting to save their town. They have spent the last six years organizing protests, forums, and cultural festivals, among many other actions and yet the government refuses to listen to them. In October of 2010, International Rivers hosted Rivers for Life III in Temaca in which 64 countries were represented.
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - 13:03
My colleague Lori Pottinger recently published an inspiring piece in Al Jazeera entitled "Rivers must flow: The case against big dams." In the conclusion of her article, she reflects that "finding ways to become an advocate for a river near you in 2012 would be a good way to celebrate the new year!"Lori's comment is the perfect call to action for the March 14 International Day of Action for Rivers, which is not just a day to celebrate the world's rivers, but also to celebrate the world's river advocates. This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to speak out and advocate for our rivers and watersheds.This March 14, Keep Our Rivers Free
Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - 11:24
This is a guest blog by a researcher who visited the Xayaburi Dam site and whose name must remain anonymous for security reasons.Leaving from Vientiane it takes 9 hours by car to reach a junction 30 km south of Luang Prabang. From there a slippery dirt road leads to Ban Pak Khon village. We take the ferry to cross the Mekong River and reach Ban Tha Dua village. Here we meet up with villagers who will have to resettle due to flooding if the Xayaburi Dam is completed. For a small fee they agree to bring us 20 km downstream to Ban Houay Souy village right next to the construction site of the dam. We've come to find out what is happening here after the MRC member countries put construction of the dam on hold in late May.
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 13:57
Representatives from CONAGUA at the second mesa de diálogoMarco von BorstelPerhaps one of the most elaborate April Fools jokes played this year was done so by representatives of the Mexican Federal Government and the National Water Commission. On April 1st they started a series of mesas de diálogo - face-to-face discussions - with representative from the communities of Temaca, Acasico and Palmarejo, all who will be affected by El Zapotillo Dam.The agreement to hold these talks came about because of the huge public opposition to the project expressed throughout Mexico and internationally by communities, NGO's and civil society members. This opposition has manifested itself in hundreds of letters sent to authorities involved in construction of the dam, large protests and marches in the streets of Guadalajara and Mexico City, and many more actions. However it was expressed most recently and perhaps most clearly on March 27 when more then 200 community members and supporters from around Mexico occupied the dam site, calling for cancellation of the dam and a dialogue with authorities involved in the project. This peaceful protest was a result of desperation and exasperation, after more than five years of campaigning against El Zapotillo Dam.
Date: Friday, April 8, 2011 - 17:13
Occupation of El Zapotillo dam siteBy Marco von BorstelTemacapulín received recognition in more ways than one this week. On Monday the community of Temaca was awarded the International COAGRET Prize by the Spanish organization Coordinadora de Afectados por Grandes Embalses y Trasvases (COAGRET). The award was given in recognition of the community's "struggle to defend their land and for their tenacity, perseverance and faith. They are a symbol of the struggle against the irrational construction of dams that destroy lives and territories and [Temaca] is now a glimmer of hope for those fighting against dams in Spain and around the world." - Premio COAGRET-Internacional
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 17:02
Nature Action Group took to the mountainsNature Action Group International Day of Action for Rivers events made front page news around the world this week, here's just some of that headline news: Day of Action for Rivers Delights in Dalian, ChinaThe Hills are Alive with the Sound of Turkish River ActivistsBoats Float down the Papagayo River in protest of La Parota DamThousands of Fisherman Celebrate Life on the Xingu River in BrazilBaked Fish Repopulate the Elbe River in Czech RepublicActivists Fight for the Last Free-Flowing Section of Teesta River in Sikkim, IndiaThe Future of Life, People and the Environment Explored through Powerful Photo Exhibit in Mozambique
Date: Friday, March 4, 2011 - 17:34
The call to action has gone out far and wide, whispers have spread from Mexico to Colombia, crossing oceans to reach Turkey, China and Iran, gaining strength and volume as they gain momentum.With just over a week until the International Day of Action for Rivers we have already heard about 48 events taking place in 21 countries: Canada, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, India, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, to name a few.
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 17:27
Day of Action For Rivers generating Oscar buzzI am quite sure that had the Academy seen our Wild River Dance Videos in time for the Oscars last year, they would have given "Hurt Locker" a run for it's money as winner for Best Picture. Therefore it's high time that these wonderful videos from the 2010 Day of Action For Rivers were re-released for public enjoyment...and just in time for this year's Oscar season.Spearheaded by our very own Web Producer Ian Elwood, the Wild River Dance contest saw many river-loving, dance-filled, inspiring videos. Although the competition is over, you can still post your own Wild River Dance videos in response. So when you watch these and immediately feel the need to go dance by your nearest river, please don't forget your video camera!
Date: Friday, February 11, 2011 - 16:19
"The river showed no mercy. It swallowed the landscape in slow, heaving gulps. The surrounding fields had all but disappeared, digested over the course of the day in a pulpy mass."- Excerpt from Li Miao Lovett's In the Lap of the Gods.Artists Respond to Three Gorges: March 14, Berkeley CABuilt on the Yangtze River in China, the Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydropower project. No single dam has displaced as many people (1.2 million), nor flooded as many cities, towns and villages (13 cities, 140 towns, 1,350 villages). Although the dam has already been completed, its problems continue and while the above statistics are staggering, the human stories often get overlooked.Artists around the world have focused their attention on these individual stories of displacement and used various artistic mediums to convey the feelings of anger, frustration, and hope.
Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011 - 17:59
With just over one month to go, plans for March 14 are gaining momentum and creative actions are quickly spanning the globe. See exactly where these actions will take place by following our Day of Action For Rivers World Map. To whet your appetite, here is a look at three actions which we learned about this week.The Culture and Environment Preservation Association (CEPA) has created a wonderful tradition and celebration around the International Day of Action For Rivers in Cambodia, and this year is no exception. They will hold their annual River Thanksgiving Day, along the SeSan River which is located in the Stung Treng Province of Cambodia. More than 500 activists, supporters and residents are expected to attend, along with government stakeholders.2008 Day of Action For Rivers: Day of Thanksgiving in CambodiaWe are welcoming a new organization to the International Day of Action For Rivers this year. Based in Nigeria, the Edem Children Foundation works with women and youth, and is initiating a program with children to help create awareness about the importance of clean rivers and advocating against new dam construction. In celebration of March 14, they are planning a river cleaning event by the Ikang River in New Bakassi, Cross River State, Nigeria. They hope to mobilize more than 50 children and youth to clean the river banks and raise awareness among the local communities about the importance of keeping these areas clean.
Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011 - 10:36
A brief retrospective to take us forward and inspire more powerful actions in 2011.2009 Day of Action For Rivers, students at the University of Costa Rica form the phrase "Pacuare Libre"When March 14 was named the International Day of Action For Rivers at the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams, it was dedicated as such not only to celebrate rivers and resist destructive projects, but to "symbolize the growing unity of the movement." In 13 years, the International Day of Action For Rivers has spanned 27 countries, and seen more than 900 actions. Over the years it has become:A day of celebration. 1999, groups in Argentina organized a water sports and fishing festival on the Parana River to celebrate their victory against the Parana Medio Dam. A day of education. 2009, activists held a rally at the University of Costa Rica, to educate students and motivate them to be active in protecting rivers and natural resources. Hundreds of students gathered in the plaza to form the phrase "Pacuare Libre." (Free the Pacuare River)
Date: Thursday, January 13, 2011 - 14:04
From the 2007 Day of Actions for Rivers: Handmade Boats Released along Ebro RiverIt is a New Year. A year full of possibilities, promise and great ideas for the 14th International Day of Action for Rivers!It is not too early to start planning. We have already heard ideas from India, Turkey and the US. I hope that over the next few months we can hear first hand accounts of these plans and of the creative actions taking place around the world. I invite anyone who has Day of Action for Rivers stories from the past and plans for this year to please let me know by writing to dayofaction@internationalrivers.org. I hope that this blog will be a place for us to share experiences, explore creativity and keep up-to-date on the goings on, leading up to March 14.To get started, check out this year's Call to Action in English, Español, Francais, Chinese, Português and ภาษไทย(Thai).
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011 - 13:54
Be Inspired, Get Creative, Take Action!Harness the Creative Power of Our Global Movement for Rivers and RightsOn March 14, 2011 unite with communities around the world and take part in the fourteenth Annual International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life. Be inspired to hold your own creative action: Express your love for rivers through music and dance, speak out against human rights violations with paintings and photographs, and call for a better energy and water management model through poetry and words.Add your voice to this expanding international movement.
