Over 45,000 large dams have been built to meet the world’s water, energy and flood management needs. However, dams have failed to live up to expectations and have devastated communities and ecosystems. This briefing kit exposes the myths behind large dams and promotes equitable and sustainable solutions for meeting the world’s needs. This briefing kit was created for the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan by Friends of the Earth Japan and International Rivers Network.