Introduction

The ISDR secretariat, together with UNESCO, in June 2006 launched the ISDR Biennial World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2006-2007under the theme Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School, with the following objectives: (1) to make schools safer; and (2) to integrate disaster risk reduction into school curricula. The World Campaign is a major step in the implementation of the “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters”, especially its Priority for Action 3 – “Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels”.

The importance of the issue was highlighted at a workshop on “Disaster Risk Reduction and Safer Schools in Communities at Risk” organized by the ISDR Thematic Cluster on Knowledge and Education on Disaster Risk Reduction at the First Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in early June 2007. The Workshop helped identify gaps and challenges, providing important guidance for further actions to integrate DRR into the education sector.

To build on the gains made from the ongoing World Campaign, the ISDR secretariat is organizing a roundtable discussion on 10 October 2007 - the International Day for Disaster Reduction - to review the progress made by the World Campaign and identify further actions to facilitate the implementation of the schools safer and education on disaster risk reduction (DRR).

The Roundtable discussion will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. Participants will be expected to attend from Member States, UN agencies, international/regional organizations, civil society; and academics and media, NGO and private sector experts involved in disaster risk reduction.

Objectives

The Roundtable Discussion will focus on issues related to safe schools and DRR knowledge management by teachers and students. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their experience, visions and planned actions to advance further the two main objectives of the World Campaign. The Roundtable Discussion also aims to contribute to the UN International Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) that promotes the integration of education into sustainable development strategies.

The main objectives of the Roundtable Discussion will be to:

• Review the good practices and lessons learned since the launch of the World Campaign; 
• Identify further actions that will enhance the results obtained from the World Campaign; and
• Provide information about a Ministerial discussion on Education for Disaster Risk Reduction planned with UNESCO for 2008.

Date, Hours & Venue

The Roundtable Discussion will take place on Wednesday 10 October 2007 (the International Day for Disaster Reduction) from 10 a.m. to 12.30 at Room XXI, Door 40, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. It will be followed by the Sasakawa Award Ceremony, the launch of an online game on DRR, and a reception.

Documents

The following documents will be used during the Roundtable Discussion:

• The “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters”.
• “Let Our Children Teach Us!” which is a review of the role of education and knowledge in disaster risk reduction. It examines good DRR practices through education, knowledge and innovation and looks critically and strategically at current activities to identify gaps and opportunities in synergy and partnership.
• UN/ISDR Publication on Good Practices on DRR Education and School Safety.
• Other relevant information and documents that can be found on the web page of the ISDR Thematic Cluster/Platform on Knowledge and Education: http://www.unisdr.org/knowledge-education