Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

Global Partnership with Universities, Academic Institutions, Research Organizations

IDRC – International Disaster Reduction Conference

Walter J. AmmannDeputy Director

Swiss Federal Research Institute WSLZurich/ Davos

Switzerland

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

Hosted at: SLF Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, Davos, an

institute of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zurich

WSL is a research institute for risk management and sustainable development (natural hazards, forest management, landscape

management, ecology)

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• IDRC International Disaster Reduction Conference

What is IDRC?

Davos, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2006

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• IDRC International Disaster Reduction Conference

• IDRC as a global, technical and operational gathering of leading experts from fields such as the natural, engineering and social sciences, governments, private enterprise, business, civil society, international organizations, NGOs and other risk management professions.

What is IDRC?

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• UN-ISDR

• UNESCO

• GADR Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction

• GDIN Global Disaster Information Network

• About 30 additional international organizations, institutions

Main collaborating organizations and institutions

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• WSL

• SDC

• ETH Board

• ASTRA

• Swiss Re

Financial Support

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• Provide a platform for in-depth discussions for risks due to natural hazards, technical risks, biological and chemical risks but also pandemics, terrorism, climate change, endemic risks, etc.

Comprehensive risk approach

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• IDRC aims to serve as a bridge between practice, science, policy and decision making in the search for sustainable solutions to the complex risks facing society today.

• Approach of IDRC: is that of an integrated risk management across disciplines, professions and sectors encompassing natural and social sciences, engineering, and scientific understanding with business, policy responses, and citizen participation.

• Linking Policy – science/ education – practice

IDRC Goals

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• Outcome of IDRC Davos 2006: IDRC Davos Declaration – a self-commitment of the 900 participants

• Stronger ties between risk management communities and sectors have been built, synergies found and approaches discussed how to move towards a more truly integrated way of thinking about risk: a holistic approach to risk reduction focusing on safety and sustainability.

The future of IDRC

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• IDRC Regional conference to be held in Harbin/ China (August 21 – 25, 2007)

• Biannual IDRC conference in Davos in 2008 (August 25 – 29, 2008).

• IDRC Regional Conference to be held in Nairobi in 2009

The future of IDRC - Conferences

Walter J. AmmannGFDRR/ UN-ISDR WorkshopGeneva, dec. 13, 2006

• IDRC will provide international courses in integrated risk management, emergency management, rescue (training and excersise)

• Provide a “Young Scientists Forum”

• Provide an exchange-platform for job- opportunities

The future of IDRC - Education