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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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March
2006
Volume
10 - Number 2 |
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The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction’s plan for 2006 encompasses numerous projects and goals which incorporates programs for the education of the world’s youth. As part of the ISDR philosophy noted in the 2000 UN World Disaster Reduction Campaign, young people express a strong interest in the ecology and protection of the earth and it is important to provide the future generations and leaders of tomorrow the necessary education to better understand both natural disasters and how to prevent their disastrous impact on societies. (www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2000/pa-camp00-kit-eng.htm) One of their campaigns for 2006 is the “Disaster reduction begins at school” program, a joint program with UNESC, to be launched in June 2006. This program was partially inspired by the story of Tilly Smith, a British student on holiday with her parents in Thailand in December 2004, who is credited with saving about a 100 lives when she recognized the signs of a tsunami and alerted her parents and the hotel manager who immediately evacuated everyone. (www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2006/slogan/engletISDR.pdf) This example exemplifies the ISDR philosophy that “When young people learn about disaster reduction at school, they are in the powerful position of sharing what they are taught in class with their families and friends. As a result, the entire community can learn and benefit from the knowledge of how they can best reduce disaster impacts, potentially saving lives and property.” (www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2004/pa-camp04-announc-eng.htm) To help jump start the program, there is an open competition to all pupils age six to eighteen to submit a slogan that will deliver the message: “Disaster reduction starts at school.” The program is slated to run for two years and will incorporate primary and secondary schools to educate students about natural disasters. Other educational programs focused at children include “Let’s learn to prevent disasters!” A joint effort between UN/ISDR and UNICEF, this includes an education kit that focuses on teaching children how to reduce disaster impacts. As a part of the kit, a game called “Riskland” is included where players advance along the board’s path by answering questions on how to reduce disaster impacts. Another unique feature of the game is that it can be adapted to reflect the different hazards a community faces. The kit’s translation is underway and will be produced in fifteen languages. In addition to the 2006-2007 campaigns, the UNISDR has dedicated a section of its website to include announcements, links, and resources for kids. (www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2004/pa-camp04-online-resources-eng.htm) As a part of the educational effort, the website includes a story about a young African boy who learns about landslides and what can be done to prevent them. There is a booklet on volcanoes and disaster reduction for sustainable mountain development as well as booklets on water and risk in Africa. There are also numerous links to many organizations including the Red Cross, FEMA, and National Geographic, in an effort to provide a medium and format to entertain while simultaneously educate children. The ISDR program for youth can be summarized as an ongoing process that recognizes that education and life experiences can culminate to generate an interest and self empowerment that individuals can ensure a sustainable future for themselves and is essential to increase the long-term resilience of communities. (www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2004/pa-camp04-announc-eng.htm) |