International day for disaster reduction and ASEAN day for disaster management joint commemoration

The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their risk to disasters and to raise awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction (DRR). For 2012, the theme of IDDR ‘Women and Girls: The inVisible Force of Resilience’ aims to highlight the role that women and girls play in risk reduction. While they are often marginalised and unrecognised, women and girls are powerful agents of change who have unique knowledge and skills that are crucial when addressing or managing disaster risks. In the ASEAN region, IDDR is celebrated jointly with the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management (ADDM). This year, the theme for ADDM is ‘Children and Women, Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction!’

Women and children from communities in ASEAN and South Asia will have key roles during the event in recognition of their contribution to initiatives to enhance community resilience. Practitioners from government and other sectors will also be recognised. The 2012 joint commemoration of the ADDM and IDDR will run for five days with the participation of more stakeholders from national and regional actors.

Programme

8 October

• AADMER Orientation
• Exhibit Opening: Regional Showcase of Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Practice
• The Role of Thailand in ASEAN Disaster Management

9 October

• Vulnerable Groups: Stepping up for Disaster Risk Reduction Forum
• Ensuring Child Safety during Disasters Seminar and Exhibit

10 October

• Mass Media, Women, and Children: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
• Panel Discussion with Women Journalists
• Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management - Working Group on Prevention and Mitigation

11 October

• Forum with Women and Children in Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Launch of Oxfam Publications and Webinars on Gender & DRR
• Local Flood Early Warning Systems Round Table Discussion

12 October

Joint Commemoration of IDDR and ADDM 2012

09:00 - Opening Ceremonies: Ms. Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Government of Thailand (TBC) Ms. Salvacion Basiano, Spokesperson of the Confederation of Older Persons’ Association of the Philippines on behalf of the Women and Children.

09:25 - Presentation of a plaque to H.E. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, for her commitment to empower more women on disaster risk reduction in Asia (by SRSG Ms Margareta Wahlström)

09:30 - Speech by Dr. O.P. Mishra, Director of Disaster Management Centre, SAARC about the Essay competition from SARRC members Awarding Ceremony to Winners of the South Asia Regional Drawing Competition

09:45 - Photo session

10:00 - Press conference H.E. Margareta Wahlstrom H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan H.E. Yingluck Shinawatra Ms. Salvacion Basiano Coffee break for the rest of participants.

10:30 - Panel Discussion: Women’s Vulnerability to Disaster Risks and Leadership in Raising People’s Resiliency

13:00 - Panel Discussion: Strengthening the Role of Women and Girls in Disaster Risk Reduction

15:30 - Closing Ceremonies Mr. Chatchai Phromlerd, Director-General, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of Thailand Dr. German Velasquez, Senior Regional Coordinator, UNISDR (TBC) Ms. Sarah Ireland, Oxfam Regional Director, representing the Chair of the AADMER Partnership Group