Dear colleagues and partners,
The protection of the environment has become a recurrent theme
these days, and young people are the first ones to express strong
interest in ecology and the protection of earth. It is therefore
important for future generations, as the leaders of tomorrow, to
learn about the long-term aspects of such a protection, and to
provide them with the necessary early education for a better understanding
of both natural hazards and the way to prevent their disastrous
impact on societies.
Young people represent powerful forces for change and for mobilization.
They occupy a central place in promoting a necessary change in
behaviours and a shift in mentalities, if a successful disaster
prevention and risk management are to be achieved. Young people
should be given the chance to ensure their own protection and the
protection of their world, through appropriate education and level
of responsibility in the decision-making process.
The devastating
impact of wild fires in the United States, the Mediterranean
Basin,
the Russian Federation and in South East Asia
has demonstrated that some climatic variabilities have exacerbated
the threat of forest fires, which has become predominant in most
parts of the word and endangers millions of lives as well as the
natural ecosystem. This dramatic situation illustrates the need
for cross-border and cross-sectoral partnerships. We all rely on
each other and all need each other to survive and protect our planet.
Let’s ensure a smooth continuity between generations through
a fruitful exchange and sharing of knowledge and experience on
disasters in order to perpetuate an acceptable quality of life
for all, in particular for all communities at threat from disasters.
The ISDR Secretariat
wishes to thank you all, in particular Global Fire Monitoring
Centre from Freiburg, Germany, the Emergency Management
Australia, the French “Entente interdépartementale
en vue de la protection de la forêt et de l’environnement
contre l’incendie”, the French “Conservatoire
de la Forêt Méditerranéenne”, the Ministry
of Environment and Energy, “Sistema Nacional de Aeras de
Conservación”, National Commission on Wildfires of
Costa Rica and the South African Santam / Cape Argus Ukuvuka Operation
Firestop for your high quality contribution to the Information
Kit for the UN 2000 World Disaster Reduction Campaign as well as
for your cooperation in making the 2000 ISDR Promotional Campaign
a success. Special thanks also go to ISDR Regional Office in Costa
Rica for their highly appreciated participation in the elaboration
of the Information Kit.
We wish you
all best of luck and every success in your respective initiatives
to celebrate
the United Nations 2000 World Disaster
Reduction Campaign on “Disaster Prevention, Education and
Youth”!
The ISDR Secretariat
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