Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building for Youth Leaders in Africa

Programme Dates: December 18-23, 2014
Participants: Six young leaders from Madagascar, Mozambique & South Africa and two United Nationsrelated guests from Kenya.
Coordinators: NGO Peace Boat, in consultation with UNISDR Regional Office for Africa
Venue: Peace Boat’s passenger ship, The Ocean Dream
Embarkation point: Maputo, Mozambique (Dec 18)

Disembarkation point: Cape Town, South Africa (Dec 23)

Objectives:
Promote the UNISDR’s “Making Cities Resilient” campaign through engaging the nextgeneration of African DRR leaders and implementing in-port programmes (E.g. press conferences,symposiums, round-table discussions).

Build capacity of young African DRR leaders through providing the place, time and opportunity
to share best practices, expand networks and gain tools/knowledge related to DRR and sustainable
development of African cities.

Strengthen African regional cooperation on DRR through connecting individuals andorganisations from different countries with diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise.

Overview
In December 2014, Peace Boat partnered with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction(UNISDR) to carry out the "Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building for Youth Leaders in Africa"
Programme.
Six outstanding young leaders from Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa, along with two United
Nations-related special guests from Kenya, joined Peace Boat’s 86th Global Voyage as the ship sailed
from Mozambique to South Africa.
Combining workshops, seminars, presentations and a field visit, participants explored some of the mostpressing issues in Disaster Risk Reduction, and identified ways in which youth can take a leading role inmaking communities more resilient.

Programme Outline: Key Sessions
Day 1

Participants arrive in Maputo, Mozambique(Maputo)Embarkation, Ship Tour, Orientation & Welcome Dinner

Day 2Introduction to Peace Boat and Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center(Maputo)

Maputo Field Visit – “DRR and Cross-cutting Themes in Mafalala”
Ship Departure Ceremony

Day 3

Recap of Maputo Field Visit – Key Learning Points and How to Apply in Future Actions(Onboard)

Participant Presentations on Projects and DRR in Home Countries
Exchange: Introduction to Japanese Culture
DRR, Making Cities Resilient Campaign and the 10 EssentialsPresentation to Peace Boat Passengers

Day 4

Local Government Self-Assessment Tool and other UNISDR Resources/Tools(Onboard)

Africa DRR Youth Network – Ways for Youth in Africa to Effectively Engage in DRR
Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami - DRR in Japan
Working Session: Develop Individual Action Plans
Dinner with Peace Boat Guest Educators

Day 5

DRR and Cross-cutting Themes(Onboard)

DRR-Sensitive Tourism
Working Session: Developing Group Action Plan, Ocean Dream Declaration & Africa
Resilient Youth Network
Tour of the Ship’s Bridge with Captain
Main Presentation to Peace Boat Passengers

Day 6

Ship docks in Cape Town, South Africa(Cape Town)

Press Conference/Symposium: Peace Boat, UNISDR, Cape Town City Office & Cape Town
Disaster Management Centre
Programme Completion Ceremony
End of ProgrammeKey Achievements
Formation of the “Africa Resilient Youth” GroupA network dedicated to furthering DRR across Africa was established from this programme, consisting ofyouth leaders from Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa.
Establishment of the “Ocean Dream Declaration”

The “Ocean Dream Declaration” – a group action plan and summary statement - was established andagreed upon by all members of the Africa Resilient Youth. (See excerpt from the declaration below).

We, the group of the Africa Resilient Youth, have decided to take up individual and collective responsibility to implement
activities to support efforts aimed at reducing risks related to disasters.

We commit to;1.

Join the Africa DRR Youth Champion Network

2.

Organise a Social Media Campaign

3.



Use social networks to spread information related to DRR (E.g. Selfie Campaign)Create a Hashtag and include twitter handles of organisations that are relevantSet up a Facebook Page

Contact and establish relations with the Central America Resilient Youth

Showcase youth from Africa doing DRR every month for 12 months

Sign up as Advocates for the Making Cities Resilient campaign
4.

10 Days for 10 Essentials Campaign (Hashtag, twitter campaign on social media)

Persuade 6 local governments to sign up for MCR campaign and follow through with monitoring mechanisms, suchas the Local Government Self-Assessment Tool, by the end of 2015

5.

Hold one meeting every two years with members of the Africa Resilient YouthEstablishment of Individual Action Plans

Each participant created a specific and measurable action plan to implement upon completion of theprogramme, in the aim of strengthening DRR and enhancing resilience in their home countries.
Connecting Youth from Africa to WCDRR in Sendai

This intensive training has interested the participants in getting involved with the Third World Conference
on Disaster Risk Reduction, to be held in March 2015 in Sendai. As a result, some representatives fromthe group have confirmed that they will attend. This representation will help to connect the participants tothe larger, global DRR movement and to the implementation of the post-2015 framework.

Conclusion

In partnership with UNISDR, Peace Boat was able to successfully bring together some of the brightest
young leaders from across Africa to work on reducing disaster risk in the region.
Armed with knowledge, resources, and a new international network, these young leaders are eager tomake an impact. In order to ensure coordination, communication and collaboration after disembarking
from the ship, the participants formed the "Africa Resilient Youth" (ARY) network, and have created bothgroup and individual action plans to implement after returning home
As we approach the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the participants will continue
to take action and raise their voices in order to be part of the global conversation on DRR, in the belief
that youth participation is crucial to a truly inclusive and participatory process. As global leaders renew
their commitments to reducing disaster risk in the coming decades through the post-2015 framework,
these youth leaders will continue to make an impact and help achieve resilience at all levels of society.

About Peace Boat, UNISDR and the "Making Cities Resilient" Campaign
Peace Boat, as a partner for the UNISDR's "Making Cities Resilient" campaign since May 2014, has committed to serving thecampaign as:- a Messenger, with its physical presence able to raise awareness in the ports we visit- a Venue for delivering education and training programmes, and- a Vehicle to bring people and expertise to different regions of the world.