Powerful partnerships for sustainable impact: UNDRR Arab States at the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Accreditation Conference

Madrid, Spain, 15 June 2023, In today's interconnected world, collaboration between academia and organizations is vital to address global challenges effectively. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa Accreditation Conference, organized by AACSB, brought together thought leaders and experts to explore how to foster environments where societal impact is strategized and accounted for. The UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States (UNDRR ROAS) and the American University in Dubai (AUD) led a session titled "Powerful Partnerships Equal Powerful Impact” to showcase the power of partnerships to drive positive change.

Powerful partnerships equal powerful impact

UNDRR ROAS and AUD joined forces in a session titled "Powerful Partnerships Equal Powerful Impact." This session shed light on the partnership between the university and UNDRR, under the umbrella of the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE UAE), focusing on their collaborative efforts in sustainability and resilience projects. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the process of establishing a global partnership and the mutual benefits it brings to both parties involved. The presenters, Assaad Farah, Dean at the American University in Dubai, and Rania Hammad, Programme Management Officer at UNDRR ROAS shared valuable strategies for maintaining enduring and productive relationships, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement for sustained impact.

Highlighting UNDRR's efforts and mandate

UNDRR's participation in the conference served as a platform to showcase its mandate and efforts in disaster risk reduction. Through discussions on "What it Takes to Establish a Global Partnership," participants gained insights into the principles and practices that underpin successful collaborations. 

“Aligning missions, values, and goals, setting clear goals and roles, assessing needed resources, understanding key drivers, and embracing complementary partners are keys to global partnership success," Hammad stated.

The session also highlighted the significance of the Sendai Framework and its goal of reducing disaster risk and building resilience. ARISE Network and ARISE UAE were also key topics of discussion during the session. By exploring these initiatives, attendees learned about the valuable contributions of the private sector in creating resilient communities and fostering sustainable development. 

Additionally, the session addressed Making Cities Resilient 2030, the unique cross-stakeholder initiative for improving local resilience; the Early Warnings for All Initiative, in line with the UN Secretary-General's call for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems within five years by 2027; and the recent DRR and Climate Change Media Workshop in Abu Dhabi, which came within a series of regional media training workshops aimed at enhancing the role of journalists and other media professionals in educating decision-makers and political leaders about the real nature of disasters and their causes.

The partnership between the American University in Dubai and UNDRR showcased how collaboration between academia and organizations can drive sustainability and resilience projects. By aligning their goals and leveraging their respective strengths, they are making significant strides towards building resilient cities and communities. Attendees gained valuable insights into the practical application of sustainable practices and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Exploring assurance of learning systems

During the three-day conference, participants delved into the potential of assurance of learning systems to mold the groundbreaking leaders of tomorrow. Discussions revolved around leveraging these systems to develop competencies that align with the changing needs of society. The conference emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in educational institutions, enabling them to adapt and navigate through the dynamic landscape of academia.

The Europe, Middle East, and Africa Accreditation Conference provided a platform for fruitful discussions and valuable insights into fostering societal impact, assurance of learning systems, and continuous improvement in academia. The participation of UNDRR and the American University in Dubai in the session on powerful partnerships underscored the transformative potential of collaborations in addressing global challenges. By establishing enduring partnerships, embracing continuous improvement, and leveraging their collective strengths, academia and organizations can make a lasting impact on sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of communities worldwide.