Risk Wise

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debates about the seriousness of climate change and its causes, or

the unfortunately recurrent despair of children frequently being the

victims of collapsing schools during earthquakes.

Opportunities beckon through shared efforts

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of opportunities to

address such concerns. The necessary educational and technical

support for practical accomplishment of the objectives of the Global

Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction can only build upon existing

professional and academic networks, thematic or sector subject areas

and other similar mechanisms. While there are several key networks

and partnerships that have developed within the ISDR Global

Platform (such as those dedicated to education, health issues, early

warning, climate change, wildland fire, municipal and local author-

ities), there are many others that represent important academic

disciplines and professional practices for disaster reduction.

By fostering the growth of networks and otherwise stimulating

cross-disciplinary study, research and education, the ISDR Global

Platform progressively seeks to engage the entire range of academic

and professional interests. There is much to be gained from finding

effective means to apply their many resources, as well as to facilitate

the easier exchange of experience

beyond

individual practitioners.

The ISDR Global Platform is already committed to establishing a

Science and Technical Committee to guide and strengthen the scien-

tific and technical basis of the ISDR. It is envisaged that the

committee will advocate and guide the necessary actions related to

scientific and technical issues within the ISDR system, including the

promotion of innovation, setting future agendas and determining

priority questions. At a practical level, the committee will also be

influential in initiating studies and reports, proposing the establish-

ment of panels or working groups, as well as other means to advance

cross-sector activities.

Another example can be seen in the ISDR secretariat’s agreement

with the Global Risk Forum and the organizers of the International

Disaster Reduction Conference (IDRC), Davos 2008, which aims to

foster the development and focused management of professional and

academic networks. There are shared interests in stimulating useful

academic relationships for educating about disaster reduction subjects,

and also in finding cost effective means to manage practitioner or

professional networks that can link the many technical, scientific and

other specialist abilities necessary for disaster reduction.

There are obvious mutual benefits, in that the ISDR system can

draw upon IDRC conference events as leading forums for science

and technical knowledge exchange, as well as for communicating

successful accomplishments in disaster risk reduction. They have

the potential to be key international and regional professional forums

for advancing ISDR system and thematic partnerships, especially by

fostering scientific and technical professional networks for wider

professional dissemination of disaster and risk related information.

ISDR’s initiation of the PreventionWeb database system

is one such

instrument that can provide technical and academic practitioners

wider access and opportunities for engagement with the govern-

ments and other organizational members of the Global Platform for

Disaster Risk Reduction. Together, these activities can increase the

reporting on programme activities, and the access and utility of

collected records, listings, databases or professional resources of

shared interest. This can, for example, include information about

academic, disaster reduction-related training, capacity development,

or professional resource materials.

By seizing upon these professional opportunities of

collaboration and working together through the ISDR

Global Platform, we can use today’s education for tomor-

row’s disaster risk reduction and realize the objectives

of the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: building the

resilience of nations and communities to disasters

Priorities for Action:

Make disaster risk reduction a priority

– ensure that

disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority

with a strong institutional basis for implementation

Know the risks and take action

– identify, assess, and

monitor disaster risks, as well as enhance early warning

Build understanding and awareness

– use knowledge,

innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and

resilience at all levels

Reduce risk

– countries can build resilience to disasters

by investing in simple, well-known measures to reduce

risk and vulnerability

Be prepared and ready to act

– strengthen disaster

preparedness for effective response at all levels.

Kibera in Nairobi is the biggest slum in Africa with around 1 million

inhabitants. Potable water and waste management are not

government supported and are resolved by community based

organisations

Image: Sean Hawkey