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 launch, at UNESCO Headquarters, last June, the Organization supported. 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 exchange 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.

Some of the main work plan activities are to:

• 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 below 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.

Along these lines, UNESCO has presented an exhibition of didactic tools in the field of disaster reduction which took place along the International Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Davos (Switzerland) from 26 August to 1st September 2006.

Soon on this page (under Prevention "Tools") you will have access to the material available.

Awareness and advancement of education and disaster risk reduction issues can also be achieved through:

• the participation to key events related to education, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development to voice the outcome of the Hyogo Framework, especially Priority for Action III;
  
• raising the profile of disaster risk reduction and education for key players through the preparation of reports and initiatives: organisation of side events and ah-hoc workshops on the subject involving Ministries of education and educational boards so that each new school be built in compliance with safety norms or existing schools be retrofitted. Training workshops will also be organised in Asia and Africa, in which teachers will learn how to inform their pupils and will in turn train their colleagues.
  

Link: http://www.unisdr.org/eng/risk-reduction/education/education.htm
Visit the UNESCO Exhibition of Didactic Tools on Natural Disaster Reduction