D
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Latin America and the Caribbean   

Newsletter ISDR Inform - Latin America and the Caribbean
Issue: 13/2006- 12/2006 - 11/2005 - 10/2005 - 9/2004 - 8/2003 - 7/2003 - 6/2002 - 5/2002 - 4/2001- 3/2001

 

Education

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Second andean subregional encounter: “the role of community education and social communication in disaster prevention and response

” The Second Andean Subregional Encounter entitled “The Role of Community Education and Social Communication in Disaster Prevention and Response” was held on August 9-11, 2005 in Lima, Peru, and it was sponsored by PREDECAN. This event was held in the framework of Program 19 1 - which was included in the Operational Plan of the Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Assistance (CAPRADE) for 2004-2005. CAPRADE is presided over by Mr. Juan Luis Podestá, Real Admiral and head of the National Institute for Civil Defense of Peru. This event was also held in accordance with the fourth Specific Objective2 of the Andean Strategic Plan for Disaster Prevention and Assistance for 2005-2010.

One of the aims of the Second Encounter was to facilitate a space for participants to discuss and analyze the current role of community education and social communication in the field of disaster prevention and response. This was done in the framework of those values that seek the integration of local knowledge to strengthen a culture of prevention. In addition, the event also aimed at identifying existing community education programs that examine the natural, cultural and social aspects of their environments, in order to address specific issues related to disaster prevention and response; facilitating mechanisms and spaces that permit civil society to participate in disaster prevention and response activities and consider the role of women in such processes; raising awareness of the joint responsibility of the population for developing community education for disaster prevention and response; and establishing a network of professionals in the field of social communication in order to contribute to strengthen a culture of prevention in the Andean subregion.





It is worth mentioning that both the general and specific goals of this meeting were met through the active participation of delegations from the five countries that constitute this region (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), as well as through the valuable contributions of the presentations delivered by the following guest speakers:

  • Margarita Villalobos, UN/ISDR: “Social Communication in the Field of Disaster Prevention and Response.”
  • Ana Campos García, PREDECAN (Peru): “A Social Perspective of Risk.”
  • Martín Villarroel García, Save the Children, South America (Bolivia) “Importance of Community Education in Disaster Prevention and Response.”
  • Gloria Inés Giraldo (Colombia): “The Colombian Experience: ‘Slope Guardians’ Program.”
  • Mario Tavera, UNICEF (Peru): “Rural Children’s Rights in the Field of Disaster Prevention and Response.”
  • Cesar Zamalloa Sessarego (Peru): “Raising Awareness among Leaders.”

Furthermore, this meeting permitted all participants to analyze the situation of community education for disaster prevention and response in the Andean subregion. This analysis contributed to complement the results of the First Andean Subregional Encounter on Formal Education for Disaster Prevention and Response, also held in Lima in April, 2005 in the framework of Program 16 3 of CAPRADE’s Operational Plan for 2004-2005, as well as the fourth Specific Objective and Strategies 4.2 and 4.3 4 of the Andean Strategic Plan.


 


In order to strengthen and consolidate the results of the First Encounter, “Learning to Prevent – CAPRADE” and the “Standards for Education Infrastructure in the Andean Subregion” it is imperative to support all actions taken to advance community education for and training in disaster prevention and response. This must be done taking into consideration that formal education is developed within society itself and that education communities are not only composed of teachers, students and parents, but also of society at large.

The strengthening of a culture of prevention in Andean countries requires that joint efforts be devoted through the education systems already in place, which include formal education and all actions carried out through community education.

The Second Encounter represented a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and lessons learned, and receive feedback for the further development of the Andean Subregional Community Education Plan for Disaster Prevention and Response. This is a basic document that contains both national and Andean analyses and includes the following elements: a formal proposal for basic strategies and actions that, if appropriately contextualized and adjusted to the own reality of each country, could be put into practice; a short-term agenda with the purpose of implementing the proposed strategies and committing to their completion; and conclusions and recommendations for the next five years.

Jointly with the abovementioned results of the First Encounter, the Andean Subregional Community Education Plan for Disaster Prevention and Response will permit communities to build their capacities in the field of disaster prevention and response, and create the Andean Subregional Education and Training Network for Disaster Prevention and Response in the near future.

For all these reasons, the Andean Subregional Community Education Plan for Disaster Prevention and Response must be supported by the Andean Community of Nations in order to obtain its approval and resource allocation for its implementation. National Governments should also support the Plan so that it is incorporated into their policies and actions. Finally, civil society should participate as key players in its implementation, so that disaster prevention and response actions are incorporated into local development processes.

For additional information, please contact:
Martha Giraldo Limo, mgiraldo@indeci.gob.pea
Education Advisor
National Education and Training Department
National Institute for Civil Defense Peru

1 CAPRADE’s Operational Plan for 2004-2005: Program 19 refers to community participation. Sub-program 1: Promotion of community participation in disaster prevention and response. Subprogram 2: Promotion of spaces for community participation in municipal management related to disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.
2 This objective consists in fomenting a culture of prevention with a social responsibilit
3 Integration of disaster prevention and response into basic and middle education, or their equivalent systems in each country.
4 Strategy 4.2: Strengthening of Higher Education and Transfer of Knowledge. Strategy 4.3: Incorporation of Disaster Prevention and Response into Basic and Secondary Education or their Equivalent Systems in Each Country.



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