WCDR on-line dialogue: A solid foundation for progress in the implementation of disaster risk reduction
730 participants from 107 countries participated in the on-line conference held 15 June-15 July on priority areas for future action to implement disaster risk reduction for 2005-2015, in preparation for the WCDR. The dialogue generated a global discussion between government representatives, experts and interested stakeholders on reducing vulnerability to natural hazards, providing solid inputs to the discussions and outcomes of the WCDR towards setting the global disaster reduction agenda for the next 10 years.

The summary report of the on-line conference is available at http://www.unisdr.org/WCDR-dialogue/

WCDR logo
The official WCDR logo (in six languages and in varying formats) is now available for use by any organization wishing to use the logo for illustrative or information purposes related to the Conference, including placement on websites or weblinks. Organizations wishing to use the logo must first obtain permission from the United Nations through the WCDR secretariat.

The logo is composed of two elements: globe and lines. The globe represents the fact that disasters can affect us all, no matter who or where we are. The curving lines represent a disaster-affected globe, and the regular parallel lines symbolize order brought about by actions aiming at disaster reduction.
To download and access guidelines for use of the logo, please refer to http://www.unisdr.org/eng/wcdr/logo/wcdr-logo.htm

WCDR second announcement available on-line
The second announcement for the WCDR is available on-line, providing comprehensive information on how to participate and register for the WCDR in addition to information on applying to organize events.

The French and Spanish versions of the announcement will be available shortly on the WCDR website.
To download the second announcement, please refer to
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/wcdr/basic-inf/WCDR%20second%20announcement-eng.pdf

Upcoming meetings in preparation for the WCDR
The European Commission Joint Research Centre and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency in collaboration with the OECD International Futures Programme is organizing a seminar on systematic risks and lessons learned. For further information on this meeting, please contact ana.vetere@jrc.it or visit the password-protected web site (User name: lessons/Password: learned) http://webdomino1.oecd.org/comnet/env/Workshops.nsf/Documents/lessons/$File/index.htm

The UN Centre for Regional Development invites you to an on-line forum on community based disaster management (CBDM) that will take place 13 September-6 October 2004. The forum is intended to expand ideas of governance, civil society and education in the context of CBDM for further discussion at the WCDR.
Further information is available at http://www.hyogo.uncrd.or.jp

In Latin America, various meetings in preparation for the WCDR are scheduled over the upcoming months. On 24-26 August a regional gathering on communications and public information will take place in Antigua, Guatemala, organized by IFRC, PAHO, UNESCO and UN/ISDR. On 7-9 September OAS, UNESCO, UNICEF and UN/ISDR are organizing a regional meeting on education for disaster risk reduction in El Salvador. Caribbean states will meet to discuss hazard and disaster management on 12-16 September in Jamaica. Finally, the Latin American consultation for the WCDR will be held in Quito, Ecuador on 16-17 September.

Further information on these meetings is available at http://www.eird.org
For any enquiries relating to the Conference, please refer to the official WCDR website http://www.isdr.org/wcdr or contact the WCDR Special Unit on isdr-wcdr@un.org

What's new at www.unisdr.org
A new section targeted at the media is now available on the ISDR website. The Mediaroom provides journalists with up-to-date news on disaster reduction around the world including information on the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. News items (press releases, articles, etc.) on disaster risk reduction for possible placement on the website are welcome.
See http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/media-room.htm

A listing of meetings and conferences related to disaster risk reduction is now available on the ISDR website. To submit information on upcoming events, please email isdrwebmaster@un.org, indicating the meeting or conference title, date, location, contact person, email address and website (if available). The access the list, please refer to http://www.unisdr.org/meeting-conference.htm

UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction - 2004 Nomination Process closed
On 18 August, the nomination process for the 2004 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction closed. 32 nominations were received, which will be reviewed by the Sasakawa Jury in September before the announcement of the UN Sasakawa Laureate and recipients of Certificates of Distinction and of Merit on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, next Wednesday 13 October.

For further information on the UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction, please refer to
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/sasakawa/sk-about-eng.htm

Andean Heads of State adopt integrated sub-regional approach to disaster reduction
At the recent meeting of the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers held on 14-15 July in Quito, Ecuador Andean countries adopted a sub-regional strategy for prevention and attention to disasters, demonstrating their clear commitment to disaster risk reduction and the upcoming WCDR, as well as taking into consideration pertinent related issues such as climate change and El Niño.
Further information on the meeting and strategy is available at http://www.comunidadandina.org/

New publications in disaster reduction
" Keeping Schools Safe in Earthquakes" is a new OECD publication that brought together 30 world-renowned experts and the US-based non-profit organization GeoHazards International, calling for action on seismic risks for schoolchildren. To download the publication, please refer to http://www.oecd.org/edu/schoolsafety

Disaster Brief is a new newsletter from the web forum "Disaster Watch" - a joint initiative of the Huairou Commission, GROOTS International and Swayam Shikshan Prayog - that aims at sharing information on disasters and development, grassroots and policy initiatives. To subscribe, please contact info@disasterwatch.net or refer to http://www.disasterwatch.net

ISDR Highlights is a monthly email update on current news in disaster reduction published by the Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR).
Please direct all enquiries (including subscription requests) to: isdr@un.org