Rio+20 Session: Disasters – Interdisciplinary Approaches for Risk Reduction and Management

Thursday 14 June, 9.00-12.00

Aim of the session

The session will provide an overview of experiences in disaster risk reduction and the role that science and technologies play in DRR to reduce the vulnerability of societies. Two major topics will be discussed during the session (1) new developments in risk management, (2) integrating science and disaster risk (i.e. early warning). The session will discuss interdisciplinary approaches on building resilience to cope with the impacts of the disasters. It will also suggest best practices of disaster risk research to achieve sustainable development and human security.

Session co-conveners

  • Jane E. Rovins, Executive Director, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Programme
  • Badaoui Rouhban, Director, Section for Disaster Reduction, UNESCO

Speakers

  • Gordon McBean, Professor/Director Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Departments of Geography and Political Science, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
  • Abdou Sane, Président du réseau des parlementaires sénégalais pour l’Habitat, la Sécurité, la Prévention et la Gestion des Risques de Catastrophes liées aux Changements climatiques, Sénégal
  • Ana Maria Cruz, Editorial Manager; GCOE, Visiting Adjunct Professor, Kyoto University, Uji Campus,  Kyoto, Japan
  • Peter Höppe, Head of Geo Risks Research Department, Corporate Climate Centre, Munich, Germany
  • Allan Lavell, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme Scientific Committee member, UK
  • Walter Ammann, President/CEO Global Risk Forum GRF Davos, Switzerland
  • Kuniyoshi Takeuchi, Director/International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), Japan