Moving from 2015 to 2030: challenges and opportunities for higher education in developing resilience to disasters

In recent years, the higher education community has played an increasingly important role in moving disaster science from a responsive, primarily technical discipline, to a broad, multi-disciplinary movement that seeks to build societal resilience to disaster. This study sets out some of the key challenges and op-portunities for higher education towards tackling the challenges set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030, which was adopted by 187 UN member states in March 2015. The study brings together existing literature in the field, as well as the results of various analysis and study projects undertaken by a European network project. Five key areas of focus are identified in working towards 2030: Link research, education and action; Integrate all hazards, stakeholders and disciplines; Collaborate regionally and globally; Facilitate policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and capacity development; Develop flexible and customisable education programmes

Resource capability for local government in mainstreaming gender into sustainable post disaster reconstruction : Evidence from Bantul Indonesia

Understanding how local government responds to gender vulnerability and gender capacity is important to make cities safer both for women and for men. However, little is known on how local government is empowered in terms of provision of capacity, resources and abilities to mainstreaming gender into disaster risk reduction and community resilience. The case of Bantul post-earthquake reconstruction Indonesia pinpoints district government capability is vital to promote gender equality within local disaster risk reduction and resilience. The district government capability means the ability of local government to organise resources, competence and knowledge to meet the needs and concerns of women and men within disaster risk reduction process. This capability has been transformed into their ability in institutional and human resources policy and for providing financial, technical and leadership capabilities to promote gender equality into local disaster risk reduction and resilience. Experience of Bantul earthquake reconstruction shows an achievement has been made by this district in terms of local capability in mainstreaming gender. Among the most important factors related to district capability are women leadership, support from non-government organisations, women participation, financial resources and capacity of local gender institutions. The findings highlight the value of mainstreaming gender for disaster risk reduction, but policymakers should aware key resources capabilities that are needed to achieve effective implementation

Post-Disaster Road Reconstruction in Aceh - Local Governments’ Role in Road Maintenance

Many studies have shown the importance of improved road infrastructure towards economic development of a region through economic agglomeration and widened business network coverage resulting from better access and higher mobility. However, such benefit can only be achieved if road infrastructure remains accessible and reliable in the long term period. Accordingly, in addition to resources required for the construction, road management will also need to allocate adequate resources for the maintenance. In the event of major natural disasters, road infrastructure is among the sectors that often suffer from the greatest damages and losses. It is also suggested that reconstruction of road infrastructure is critical for a speedy recovery process. In the case of tsunami reconstruction in Aceh, Indonesia, poor road infrastructure is also argued to have caused delays and higher reconstruction cost. In most developing countries such as Indonesia, another important issue requiring particular attention is the ability and capability of local government in maintaining road infrastructures. In the post-tsunami reconstruction in Aceh, disregard to road classification and ownership status (national, Prov. or district), most of road reconstruction projects were either funded or co-funded by national government and donor agencies; which project outcomes were then transferred to local government. This resulted in giving additional burden to local governments with low technical and financial capacity for maintaining and ensuring the long term benefit of the investment, particularly where there are more road networks reconstructed than destroyed. Accordingly, this paper, which is based on an ongoing PhD study, discusses issues identified in the post-disaster road reconstruction in Aceh with regards to local governments’ capacity in road maintenance. The discussion includes regulations, policies and other aspects that contributed to the road management and maintenance within the context of Aceh post-tsunami reconstruction

Resource capability for local government in mainstreaming gender into disaster risk reduction: evidence from Indonesia

Understanding how local government responds to gender vulnerability and gender capacity is important to make cities safer both for women and for men. However, little is known on how local government is empowered in terms of provision of capacity, resources and abilities to mainstreaming gender into disaster risk reduction and community resilience. The case of Indonesia pinpoints district government capability is vital to promote gender equality within local disaster risk reduction and resilience. The district government capability means the ability of local government to organise resources, competence and knowledge to meet the needs and concerns of women and men within disaster risk reduction process. This capability has been transformed into their ability in institutional and human resources policy and for providing financial, technical and leadership capabilities to promote gender equality into local disaster risk reduction and resilience. Experience of Bantul earthquake reconstruction shows a significant achievement has been made by this district in terms of local capability in mainstreaming gender. Among the most important factors related to district capability are women leadership, support from non-government organisations, women participation, financial resources and capacity of local gender institutions

Priorities for EU-South Asia cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges

A briefing paper highlighting the priorities for EU-South Asia cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges has just been published as part of the CASCADE (Collaborative Action towards Societal Challenges through Awareness, Development, and Education ) project led by GDRC’s Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga. This paper examines the policy and interests of seven countries in South Asia with respect to the seven thematic societal challenges identified under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing; Food security, sustainable agricultures, marine and maritime research and the bio-based economy; Clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials; A changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; and, Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of the country and its citizens. Other key points include the need for EU linkages with Asian countries given the region’s rapidly growing research and innovation capacities; urgency to address major concerns shared by citizens in Europe, South Asia and elsewhere; and eleven priorities identified for cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges