NATURAL SCIENCES
Natural Disaster Reduction Information and Education
The striking importance of education and information related to disaster risk reduction has been reflected in the 2006-2008 World Disaster Reduction Campaign "Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School" which was launched at UNESCO Headquarters in June 2006.
This campaign aims at:
- promoting the integration of disaster risk reduction into school curricula in countries prone to natural hazards;
- promoting the safe construction and retrofitting of school buildings to withstand natural hazards.
Following the adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, it was felt that a cluster/platform approach would help to stimulate information sharing, networking, create new partnerships and identify focus areas for collectively advancing the implementation of Priority III of the Hyogo Framework.
The Thematic Cluster/Platform on Knowledge and Education of the UN-ISDR inter-agency Secretariat gathers a number of UN agencies, among which UNESCO plays a key role, international and regional organizations, States, NGOs and networks that are committed to the Priority III of the Hyogo Framework: use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience.
The cluster/platform contributes, in close collaboration with States active and committed to the subject, to share lessons learned and establish networks among countries, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, NGOs, school associations, national boards of education, and the private sector. The cluster/platform mainly focuses on supporting and enhancing the issue of education and disaster risk reduction at the national level, in particular among Ministries of education, educational boards and national platforms.
The main activities of the Thematic Cluster/Platform on Knowledge and Education are:
- create a forum and provide an opportunity for actors to get together and exchange on the topic;
- disseminate good practices and examples, particularly related to the objectives of the ISDR Campaign on Education: to mainstream disaster risk reduction into school curricula and school safety.
These activities are related to the main objectives on which the thematic cluster/platform will focus its efforts:
- voice and promote the campaign objectives;
- support national efforts in including disaster risk reduction into curriculum and school safety initiatives;
- act as custodian of the achievements related to the campaign based on existing material and initiatives;
- develop a book/guidelines on how to integrate disaster risk reduction into school curricula.
Following these guidelines, UNESCO presented an exhibition of didactic tools in the field of disaster reduction which took place during the International Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Davos (Switzerland) from 26 August to 1 September 2006.
Recently, UNESCO organized and hosted a meeting of the Interim Organizing Committee of the Thematic Cluster/Platform on Knowledge and Education, which discussed the major steps to be taken and the future activites of the Cluster/Platform.
Related links:
:: International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
:: Didactic tools database
Contact:
- Ms K. Tovmasjana, Assistant Programme Specialist
- Start Date: 11-12-2005 End Date: 31-12-2012