3rd International Conference on Public Awareness as a Cornerstone of DRR and Sustainable Development

About:

UNISDR and the Government of Armenia, a leader in disaster risk reduction, are pleased to announce about the "Public Awareness as a Cornerstone of DRR and Sustainable Development" 3rd International Conference to be held on December 15-16 in Yerevan, Armenia. "Media, Public Awareness, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Prevention Culture" is the title of the Conference for this year.

Goal and objectives:

Main goal of the Conference is to raise awareness about World Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies - Hyogo 2005-2015 and Sendai 2015-2030 Framework Action Programs. The Conference also to emphasize the role of public awareness and media in all phases of emergency management, development of prevention and safety culture and involvement of all DRR players.

The meeting will provide a key opportunity for the media, policy makers, universities and scientific institutions, international organizations and disaster risk reduction practitioners from around the world to exchange best practices and ideas, and to begin crafting an international initiative in this field.

Rationale:

Public Awareness is the cornerstone of Disaster Risk Reduction. World Developments in the sphere, starting from responding culture with disaster risk reduction to prevention culture, emphasizes the leading role of the public awareness and its role in the process of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development process of communities and states.

During the recent 30 years International Organizations, local authorities and media, due to targeted and consistent projects significantly changed the attitude of the society towards the alcohol, smoking and drug use, healthy lifestyle and diets, HIV/AIDS and environmental issues. The increasing hazards, various risks and challenges, make publicizing international developments and new policies mandatory.

Media have its own role in all the phases of Disaster Risk Management: preparedness, prevention, warning, response, elimination of consequences, recovery and rebuilding, publicizing Hyogo FA and Sendai FA, as well as in the public awareness and training, preparedness rising of population. There is a need in informing, attracting, teaching and involving of journalists.

Conference outcomes:

• Confirmation of the "International Working Group" to drive the agenda of information and communication to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Agreement of the Terms of Reference of the International Working Group and a plan of actions.

Participants:

Representatives of world news agencies, their educational departments, state authorities, as well as private media (TV and radio stations, news agencies, newspapers, journals, online media), media and educational organizations, centers, universities, international organizations, state structures, RA government and National Assembly, Embassies, etc.

Agenda:

1. Opening:
• RA Government
• Margareta Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Leaders of international Organizations
2. Substantive session:
   • Why is it hard to communicate Disaster Risk Reduction, what are the solutions?
   • Review of Sendai Framework from disaster communication and hazard - risk awareness perspective; clarification on main activities and roles
   • Early warning: issues and prospects
   • Vectors of disaster communication (different types of media); capacities and modalities in post -2015
   • Way forward: Effective communication and awareness for implementation of the Sendai Framework (discussion and agreement of the ToR and action plan for the International Working Group)
3. Closing