young professionals and students involvement in disaster risk reduction using space technology approaches
- Paper number
IAC-15,E5,5,6,x29585
- Author
Mr. Meshack Ndiritu, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Ethiopia
- Coauthor
Ms. Sinead O'Sullivan, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), United States
- Year
2015
- Abstract
Youths are the majority of the current population, and there is need to harness their potential to contribute in Disaster Risk Reduction efforts. Space Technology for Disaster Management (STDM) is a project designed by Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) to build the capacity for young professionals and students in applications of Space Technology and other sciences to contribute in Disaster Risk Reduction strategies. The key focus for this project is to fill the existing gaps in Disaster Risk Management. The project is pursuing international cooperation to enhance mainstreaming of youths in the current strategies. Even though the focus is on use of space technology, it has become clear that there is vital need for communities’ involvement in the process. The project is currently therefore focusing on training using open source software to address hazards/disasters; and designing ways on how the models produced to predict disasters could be made more user-friendly to serve the communities who bear the direct effects of disasters when they strike. As this is a global platform, we are mobilizing a pool of young experts, both on technical matters and policy, so that sufficient capacity can be achieved in reducing loss of lives and property arising from disasters. The project aims to streamline its approaches with the strategies to be adopted during the third world Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction building on the Hyogo Framework of Action; particularly on the recommendation of early warning systems that are easily interpretable by the communities. The project is seeking to augment the approaches of the UNSPIDER particularly in building capacity for young professionals and students to invent better models for hazard Early Warning Systems for preparedness and prevention purposes. Current collaborations are being secured with the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)-SERVIR Africa; the UNSPIDER and few other Commercial companies with an objective to enhance Public Private Partnerships in Disaster Risk Reduction processes. We seek to build more networks on international cooperation for concerted efforts in Disaster Risk Reduction in a more sustainable way to achieve the overarching objectives of the Disaster Risk reduction strategy. This year the project has attracted a pool of 25 members and is recruiting more. We will keep a database of these experts each year to enhance knowledge sharing and technology transfer for sustainable development.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-15,E5,5,6,x29585.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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