Youth join forces in addressing Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia region

The Disaster and Climate Resilience Youth Network (DACRYN) was established in March 2019 supported by UNESCO office in Almaty. The network bring together youth from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, who advocate for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate change adaptation (CCA). It is represented by young scientists, students, representatives of environmental and youth agencies, who are actively engaged in promoting DRR and CCA in their countries. It’s a common practice that in Central Asia emergency response largely prevails over disaster risk management efforts, therefore youth works together to facilitate and advocate for a better understanding on the importance of DRR for safer and resilient societies. One of the key focus areas of the network is to promote multidisciplinary approach in DRR, and notably, in relation to mainstreaming DRR in higher education, according to the world standards.

“Young people are agents of change and they have new and innovative approaches in addressing DRR. Therefore for UNESCO it’s important to work with youth and support their ideas in promoting DRR” – Kristine Tovmasyan, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences.

During the regional coordination meeting of the DACRYN, the main areas of activities of the network were discussed in detail. The participants made presentations on the role of young researchers in science for DRR, such as the interventions by the Youth Ecological Centre in Tajikistan on Climate risks in mountain communities of Tajikistan, presentation on the first Women and Glaciers summer school that took place this year in Kyrgyzstan, the report on DRR in Uzbekistan, prepared by the students of the National University of Uzbekistan, the presentation of young researchers from the Institute of Seismology of Kazakhstan and others.

The meetings also focused on the terms of reference of the network, more detailed work plan for 2020, and discussed concrete project, which are planned to be implemented next year, such as the organization of youth summer camps, advocacy events, and more work with disaster prone communities.