Out of the limelight, but spot on
Out of the limelight, but spot on
Parineeta works for the ‘South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People’ (SANDRP) in India. She is a great example of the new generation of environmentalists in her own country, and perhaps the rest of the world as well. Like the generation before her, she opposes the construction of large dams, because these have disastrous consequences for the living environment of local residents. In this struggle, she not only faces her own government, but also the World Bank and other global players – including the Dutch government – who think large dams are the solution to climate change.
Parineeta takes action. Not the way others do: she doesn’t set up global campaigns, but studies the law and demands that it is abided by. She sees to it that local communities can participate, as is the law in India; and that everyone has access to all information that, according to this same law, has to be public.
Her struggle takes time, energy and patience. What it definitely doesn’t need is a lot of publicity. In India as well as in the Netherlands, consensus is the key to success; publicity and campaigns have a polarising effect and take her further from her goal. But in order to reach consensus, Parineeta and her organisation do have to fight for information to be disclosed, for access to relevant data, and for
a decision-making agenda that suits the people she represents.
In a recent speech for Dutch ambassadors, Minister for Overseas Development Ploumen acknowledged that social organisations are the driving force behind social change. People like Parineeta deserve our respect and especially our support, so, quietly and out of the limelight, they can keep doing their oh-so-important work.
Read more about this subject
-
Blog / 11 July 2016
She is just around the corner…
She is just around the corner… -
Blog / 17 October 2014
‘Africa Works’ with decent finance
‘Africa Works’ with decent finance -
Blog / 18 April 2014
We want value for climate money
We want value for climate money -
Blog / 9 December 2013
'The winner takes all'
'The winner takes all' -
Blog / 20 November 2013
“Zombie Treaties” cripple international trade
“Zombie Treaties” cripple international trade -
Blog / 21 October 2013
Minister of Trade and Aid chooses fresh head wind
Minister of Trade and Aid chooses fresh head wind -
Blog / 31 August 2013
Green value for money
Green value for money -
Blog / 8 August 2013
Summer time
Summer time -
Blog / 4 July 2013
Behind the scenes of a ‘growth-economy’
Behind the scenes of a ‘growth-economy’ -
Blog / 17 May 2013
Deafening silence
Deafening silence -
Blog / 10 April 2013
My world deserves better!
My world deserves better! -
Blog / 19 March 2013
Eraser for Minister Ploumen's charcoal sketch
Eraser for Minister Ploumen's charcoal sketch -
Blog / 8 March 2013
Female leadership is changing the world
Female leadership is changing the world -
Blog / 21 February 2013
Trade agenda minister Ploumen decisive for fair and sustainable development
Trade agenda minister Ploumen decisive for fair and sustainable development -
Blog / 30 January 2013
The empty words of the president of the World Bank
The empty words of the president of the World Bank -
Blog / 11 December 2012
Corporate Social Responsibility just a façade?
Corporate Social Responsibility just a façade? -
Blog / 2 November 2012
Growth on Paper
Growth on Paper -
Blog / 10 September 2012
The Dutch and the Big, Bad World
The Dutch and the Big, Bad World -
Blog / 26 June 2012
Loesje and the fight against cynicism
Loesje and the fight against cynicism -
Blog / 12 June 2012
Rio+20 lacks audacity
Rio+20 lacks audacity