AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Jennifer Corinne Veilleux for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography presented on April 25, 2014. Title: Is Dam Development a Mechanism for Human Security? Scale and Perception of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia and the Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River in Laos Abstract approved: _____________________________________ Aaron T. Wolf Human security is a framework related to the stability and sustainability of political, environmental, economical, and socio-cultural areas of concern. Water resources around the world are under increased pressure from increased development, growing populations, pollution, and global climate change. Large-scale dam development while still popular for political and economic development reasons, has been found to result in costs that outweigh benefits in environmental and socio-cultural sectors. This research assesses the human security impacts from dam development at three scales: the international river basin, the nation-state, and the local affected communities. Human security includes aspects of political, environmental, economic, and socio-cultural sectors. A combination of quantitatively-derived parameters from global indices and field-generated qualitative interviews and observations are employed to understand how perceptions of impacts change dependent on scale and sector. Two case studies are analyzed to capture three scales of human security impacts from dam development: the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia and the Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River in Laos. A new human security measurement is developed to consider qualitative aspects of interview data in order to compare the human security stability of very secure, secure, slightly insecure, and insecure to the global indexes. Comparisons between case studies, scales, and methods are drawn. Differences between human security and human development are highlighted. The conclusions are that human security impacts due exist from dam development, but are of a different magnitude depending upon scale, sector, and perception, as well as the datasets used for analysis. For the international scale, I combined publicly available datasets Human Development Index (HDI), Human Security Index (HSI), and the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database Basin Country Units (TFDDBCU) to create GIS based maps of watershed development and security ranking. For the national scale I analyzed information provided through official documents, websites, and field interviews. For the local scale I conducted empirical observation and field interviews in local communities. I conclude that the best measurement of human security is from a combination of scale, sector, and perception using qualitative and quantitative context and data for measurement. © Copyright by Jennifer Corinne Veilleux April 25, 2014 All Rights Reserved Is Dam Development a Mechanism for Human Security? Scale and Perception of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia and the Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River in Laos by Jennifer Corinne Veilleux A DISSERTATION submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Presented April, 25 2014 Commencement June Doctor of Philosophy dissertation of Jennifer Corinne Veilleux presented on April 25, 2014. APPROVED: Major Professor, representing Geography Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, Atmospheric Sciences Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my dissertation will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my dissertation to any reader upon request. Jennifer Corinne Veilleux, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to God for this opportunity and bringing me through this experience. I am grateful for the generosity of so many religious Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, and Sisters in the Catholic Community who gave me time, support, food, and shelter, and shared meals, prayer, and laughter in practically every corner of the world. Over the last four years I have been hosted and counseled by: Institute of the Incarnate Word, Missionaries of Charity, Capuchin Franciscans, Medical Missionary Sisters, Comboni Missionaries, and St. John the Divine. Special appreciate goes to Sister Incarnate Word, Sister Theotokos, Monsignor Pope, and Abba Ayele for inspiring my heart on the toughest days, giving me eyes to see the beauty in the darkest places, and reminding me why I am doing this. This research would not have been possible without the financial support of Oregon State University, the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, the Gray Family Fund, the College of Science, the College of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, and the generosity and willing support of other institutions around the world. I am especially appreciative of my advisor, Aaron Wolf, for so many things, but especially for consistently getting behind my big ideas, narrowing my scope, and giving me that needed push to go after my dreams. I am grateful to members of my committee Michael Campana, Bryan Tilt, and Gregg Walker for the hours of invested time, coffee, and meals surrounded by that endless conversation. I hope you know how vital your guidance has been for me. The constant logistical support and laughter, remote and actual, offered by Stacey, Melinda, and Renee has been crucial in keeping to this pursuit. My field research in Ethiopia depended on the generosity, time, logistical support, hosting, and endorsement of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy, and Ministry of Communications and Foreign Affairs. In particular I would like to thank CEO Atto Meheret Debebe for believing in my work and opening the first door, Minister Barakat Simone, Minister Alamayo Tengno and their hard working support staff for arranging my research and travel from Addis Ababa to the Renaissance dam site. I’d like to thank the team at the dam site: Engineer Semengnew, Ato Bubula, Ato Assefa, and Solomon for making my work possible and efficient. Special appreciation goes also to International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Addis Ababa for sponsoring my business visa and providing office support. My field work in Laos depended on the generosity, time, logistic support, hosting, and endorsement of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Xayaburi Power Company, and the Provincial Government of Sayabouli. In particular I would like to thank the Director General Daovong Phonekeo, Khamkong Kongvongsa of the Xayaburi Electric Power Company, and Governor Bounphak Inthapanya District Chief of Sayabouli City. Special appreciation goes also to Kim, David, and others at the Naga House in Vientiane, Laos for logistical and office support. Serving as the voice of the local people to the ears of an international audience are translators Tesfaye Girma and Singkham Lueyeevang. Without their professional support, incredible patience, and cultural awareness I would not have obtained the rich datasets used in this study or been able to experience the life in the local riverine communities. Their roles were crucial and I am grateful for their dedication to keep to my intense schedule and face the sometimes adverse conditions and climate. Special acknowledgement finally must go to the friends and strangers, who fed me, housed me, financed me, carried me, and helped me keep my sanity and sense of humor these last four years. There are too many people to list that I feel hugely grateful toward, but I must list a few: Aseel, Jehan, & Mousa, Cecily, Amber, Maya, Roxy, Coos, & Blue, Marina & Dan, Andrew, Jason, Laura & Matt, Joe & Sebastian, Donna, Paul & the kids, Robbie, Phil, Teri, Joe Spellman; Sarah, Kerry, & Rustyk. These people consistently providing levity and safety on my journey (especially to and from airports!) Dr. Dan Nelson, Dr. Kea Duckenfield, Dr. Keith Shawe, and Colonel Merrick Krause never failed to be direct, insightful, empathetic mentors over the past decade. I would not have attempted this without you. Thank you all for believing in me. CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS A huge thank you to all those who helped this PhD take form: Aaron Wolf helped shape, guide, and form this work from the beginning. Bryan Tilt helped with brainstorming the human security key and edits on the dissertation. Bojan Šavrič helped me with graphic design on tables and formatting the dissertation, and helped me with creating the maps using ArcMap. Cecily Yates and Katie Stofer helped with editing the first four chapters. Johannes Liem helped with visualization tools and ArcMap. Matthew Zentner helped with information, pointers, and encouragement. Marco Clark helped with translating the IDAM research model design. Thank you for all of your effort, expertise, and time. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Structure ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2. Chapter Preview ....................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.1. Chapter 2 literature review .................................................................................................... 4 1.2.2. Chapter 3 Case studies .......................................................................................................