Viewpoint – The World Bank versus the World Commission on Dams

A viewpoint article about dynamics between the World Bank Group (the Bank) and World Commission on Dams (WCD). The Bank has long resisted guidelines from reformers and the WCD requiring large dam projects to internalise the social and environmental costs of dam construction. Despite some progress, the Bank continues to resist calls for it to eschew countries’ use of violence in removing residents from areas to be flooded by reservoirs, compensate residents adequately for their losses, or involve affected people in planning for big dams. Suggestions are made for more humane and economically responsible Bank policies.