Dams and Development-A New Framework for Decision-Making, by the World Commission on Dams, is the most influential and important report related to water resources management today. The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was born out of a significant IUCN-World Bank-sponsored workshop in Gland, Switzerland in April 1997. Representatives of diverse interests came together to discuss the highly controversial issues associated with large dams. After much discussion, and being unable to reach consensus, they proposed the establishment of a andrdquoWorld Commission on Damsandrdquoto discuss the issues more in-depth and to try to arrive at some kind of conclusion. The commission began its work in May 1998 and presented its completed findings on 16 November 2000 in London, after heated discussions and input from many specialists and related personalities. The reports consists of Part I, andrdquoThe WCD Global Review of Large Dams,andrdquoand Part II, andrdquoThe Way Forward,andrdquowhich includes many tables, figures, and annexes (bibliography, glossary, etc.). Following Chapter 1, andrdquoWater, Development and Large Dams,andrdquoPart I consists of five chapters: andrdquoTechnical, Financial and Economic Performance,andrdquoandrdquoEcosystems and Large Dams: Environmental Performance,andrdquoandrdquoOptions for Water and Energy Resources Development,andrdquoand andrdquoDecision-Making, Planning and Institutions.andrdquoPart II consists of four chapters: andrdquoEnhancing Human Development: Rights, Risks and Negotiated Outcomes,andrdquoandrdquoStrategic Priorities,andrdquoandrdquoCriteria and Guidelines-Applying the Strategic Priorities,andrdquoand andrdquoBeyond the Commissions-An Agenda for Change.andrdquoBecause the report has plenty of statistical and historical information on large dams all over the world, it is useful and important as databook

The international Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) commissioned this report on the status and prospects for treadle pumps in Africa, particularly concerning how smallholders can take up such devices to support irrigation. In view of the fact that treadle pumps are now being used in many African countries, this document is a state-of-the-art report. It identifies what needs to be done by agencies, donors, NGOs and manufacturers to make such pumps acceptable and accessible for smallholders. It is aimed at irrigation professionals, donors, decision makers and NGOs promoting small-scale irrigation in Africa. Information has been provided from many sources. Particular reference is made to the national experts who were commissioned by IPTRlD to collect up-to-date information from a number of African countries. The report begins with a review of the different treadle pumps currently in use in Africa and the information available on their technical performance, with a view to trying to answer the question - Which is the best treadle pump? Or perhaps more appropriately - Which is the best for a given situation? This is followed by reports prepared by national experts on the experience of using treadle pumps in different countries across Africa. These principally address the important issues of economic and social impact of this technology change, its acceptability and sustainability. This experience should help those who are just beginning to think about treadle pumps, wondering if they are right for them and, if so, how best to introduce them into their situation.