On 21 November, the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) hosted the 7th Annual Seminar of the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC), an important event that united different perspectives and expertise to draw the roadmap towards a more resilient Europe. The event took place under the umbrella of the Science Pillar of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network.
Cooperatively organised by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), the DRMKC Annual Seminar brought together more than 120 participants (and 186 viewers via web streaming) to reflect and collect insights under the theme ‘Moving knowledge into action: A roadmap to disaster resilience’. Focused on the topic of disaster resilience, the seminar aimed to address urgent challenges encountered by the European Union (EU), emphasising the importance of proactive strategies amidst increasing climate-related disasters and global uncertainties.
Many of the speakers highlighted the urgency of the situation. However, going beyond alarming statements on the severity of disasters, climate extremes, and future disaster scenarios, the focus shifted towards action and knowledge that could advance the EU resilience agenda, including the Union disaster resilience goals.
The day-long event comprised several sessions and workshops, each addressing crucial aspects of disaster resilience and hosted by different voices from the Commission’s policy and research directorates and agencies (CLIMA, EEA, HOME, JRC), international organisations (OECD, UNDRR, WMO), national authorities, projects, and other stakeholders.
The morning commenced with opening remarks from Directors from the JRC and DG ECHO, and a Representative from the Spanish EU Presidency. This was followed by a scene-setting discussion that highlighted the escalating disasters of the past summer and underscored the need for collaborative action across multiple fronts. Key questions addressed the role of the EU in advancing disaster resilience and the vital contributions of scientific research in shaping Europe's pathways to resilience.
Subsequent panel discussions delved into robust risk assessment processes, stressing the necessity for innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations to effectively anticipate and mitigate diverse hazards. Speakers shared successful initiatives and addressed challenges in assessing multi-hazard risks, emphasising regional and local perspectives in policymaking.
The afternoon session featured three parallel participatory workshops, inviting attendees to explore effective risk communication strategies and the need for a unified European approach to early warning systems:
These interactive workshops focused on enhancing public awareness, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and improving the dissemination of timely alerts. The workshops culminated in plenary discussions on disaster risk management governance, emphasising the necessity of adapting governance systems to evolving challenges, focusing on prevention, data collection, and resilient approaches involving the entire society.
The annual seminar concluded with a final open discussion panel that synthesised insights from the workshops, highlighting the importance of incorporating foresight principles into disaster resilience. Foresight tools were underlined as essential in comprehending future risks and fostering a forward-thinking approach in policymaking.
The DRMKC Annual Seminar offered several positive outcomes, raising awareness about pathways to disaster resilience and strengthening collaborations among diverse stakeholders. The innovative solutions and successful practices highlighted in the sessions provided models that can be easily replicated to aid in achieving the Union disaster resilience goals.
Furthermore, the event not only addressed current challenges but also identified knowledge gaps, laying the basis for shaping future research agendas. The discussions initiated by the seminar are expected to influence the Science Pillar roadmap for 2024, guiding future initiatives towards reinforcing Europe's resilience against disasters.
Link to the agenda with the presentations: 7th DRMKC Annual Seminar (europa.eu). Recording soon available on the same page.
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