On October 13, 2024, in response to the United Nations' call for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and its emphasis on the crucial role of education in enhancing youth disaster resilience, IRDR, alongside Horizon, CITIS, and the Headquarters of International Science and Technology Organizations, organized the "Empower the Next Generation for a Resilient Future" event. The event aligned with the United Nation's "Pact for the Future," which advocates for integrated and innovative approaches to sustainable development and disaster resilience. By focusing on the integration of education with practical action, the event aimed to explore solutions and resources that enhance capacity building among youth and young professionals, preparing them to navigate the dynamic global risk landscape and contribute to safer, more resilient communities.
Saini Yang, the Executive Director of IRDR
Saini Yang, the Executive Director of IRDR, delivered the opening address, underscoring the essential role of innovative education in empowering young professionals to actively engage in disaster risk management. She emphasized the connection of this year's event theme with the United Nations' "Pact for the Future," which champions sustainable development and the fortification of resilient communities. Yang highlighted the Young Scientists Program (YSP) as a cornerstone of IRDR's efforts to equip young leaders with the necessary knowledge and tools to spearhead disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Sugiura Ai, UNESCO Natural Sciences Programme Officer
Junjie Lin, UNICEF Public Partnerships Programme Assistant
Zheng Zhishan, IFAW Beijing Raptor Rescue Center Manager
The event began with presentations from representatives of international organizations, who shared their dedicated efforts in disaster risk reduction and resilience. UNESCO Natural Sciences Programme Officer in China Prof. Sugiura Ai, UNICEF Public Partnerships Programme Assistant in China Junjie Lin, and IFAW Beijing Raptor Rescue Center Manager Zheng Zhishan provided insights into their global initiatives, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to enhance disaster preparedness and response.
Following these insights, a series of presentations by young scientists and entrepreneurs illuminated the latest innovations in their respective fields of study. Zhao Zeyu, Yang Mengfan, and Shen Hanyue shared their groundbreaking research in areas like resilient city governance, agricultural disaster prevention techniques, and cross-medium flight technologies for early disaster warning. These presentations showcased the diligent efforts of young individuals in specific domains of disaster risk reduction, highlighting their critical contributions to advancing this field.
The event concluded with a panel discussion involving students from colleges, high schools, and middle schools, who provided their perspectives on disaster risk reduction. This discussion included insights from Wu Shaoqi, Wu Kun, Chen Xiaoyu, Yang Hang, and Ding Hengyang, who explored the challenges and successes of integrating these concepts into various educational and professional settings. They shared their views on fostering youth leadership and disaster risk reduction education, engaging in a deep discussion on these critical topics.
In response to the critical discussions at the event, IRDR has outlined key initiatives to bolster disaster resilience through youth engagement.
l Firstly, the establishment of a Youth Empowerment Center will aim to educate and train young individuals in disaster risk reduction.
l Secondly, the Maker Marathon Series will encourage young scientists and entrepreneurs to devise innovative solutions to DRR challenges.
l Lastly, the creation of a Resource Support and Partnership Network will forge lasting connections with international bodies and NGOs, facilitating access to essential resources such as funding and expertise.
IRDR will continue to intensify its efforts in the DRR field, ensuring sustained impact and progress.
