4th Open Discussion Forum of GADRI
Achieving the Objectives of the Charter of GADRI
Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Japan
Online Zoom meeting

15 March 2022
21:00 to 23:00 JST
The 4th Open Discussion Forum of GADRI under the theme of “Achieving the Objectives ofthe Charter of GADRI was held virtually on 15th March 2022 from 21:00 to 23:00 JST.
A total of 72 participants from 30 economies joined the discussion.
The programme was opened by Prof. Paul Kovacs, Chair, Board of Directors of GADRI; andProf. Hirokazu Tatano, Secretary-General, GADRI.
1. Committee on S&T Roadmap
Chair: Prof. Sumit Sen, IIT, Roorkee, India
Presenter: Dr. Stefan Hochrainer-Stigler, IIASA, Austria
In the absence of Dr. Stefan Hochrainer-Stigler, IIASA, Austria, Prof. Tatano statedthat this is much discussed area and much work has already been done by theUNDRR. Many reviews and documents are available online too. What GADRI plansto do is work on missing research gaps, and seek opportunities for improvements.
The commitment made in the Charter of GADRI is that one of the core things GADRI
would be involved in is to be part of the global determination of what the agenda isfor issues being dealt with from a science and technology point of view. In this field,
there is insufficient foresight and much need to be done to promote foresight andtechniques of foresight and GADRI’s initiatives will be welcomed.
The Chairs of the following committees shared the objectives and views for eachcommittee:
2. Committee on Institutional Capacity Building (Annex 4-a)Chair: Dr. Indrajit Pal, AIT, Thailand
Presenter: Prof. Wei-Sen Li, NCDR, Chinese Taipei
Prof. Wei-Sen Li
Directions to work together on DRR (1/2) - through Institutional Capacity Building
1. Case studies on evidence-based disaster risk reduction
To study policies and implementations on applying science and technology for DRR throughfinding gaps and needs (to connect the last mile and initiate first mile – Rajib Shaw)
Possible topics: individual nation plans in science development, land-use planning, early
warning, risk maps, etc.
2. Build back better- trend & policy on post-disaster recovery
To understand required and necessary elements for short-term, mid-term and long-term
recovery (to learn lessons from successes and failures)

Possible topics: reviews on large disasters, reconstructions plan, economy revitalization,
livelihood restoration, etc.
3. Leadership and decision making on disaster management
To learn skills and the best practices for leading a team of policy making, emergency
response or on-field operations (to educate scientific disaster manager)
Possible topics: risk communication, crisis management, principles of emergency operation,
ICT & GIS tools of decision support, etc.
4. Role of NGO, NPO & business by public-private partnership
To explore contributions on DRR by private sector and policy to engage them at different
phases of disaster management. (to channel DRR knowledge to stakeholders)Possible topics: community-based disaster risk management, business continuity plan, risk
perfection, etc.

5. Regional and global mechanisms and resources for DRR, CCA and SDGs
To understand frameworks, trend, policy guidelines, operations, projects, and funding
agency at regional and global levels (to leverage resources by better networks)
Possible partners: UN organizations, APEC, ASEAN, GADRI, IRDR ICoEs, Future Earth…….
3. Committee Data and Information Sharing (Annex 4-b)
Chair: Dr. Rodrigo Cienfuegos, CIGIDEN, Chile
Presenter: Prof. Andrew Collins, UKADR; and DDN, Northumbria University, UK
Current Vision: An action based, dynamic, multi-voice data information system
Principles:• The global research community is only as effective as the usefulness andapplications of its data … bridging knowledge gaps through activating data andinformation for utilized knowledge.
• Bridging of knowledge gaps through a whole of society objective, influencing
social and behavioural change to enable disaster risk reduction.
• Identifying the keys to a more comprehensive bridging of knowledge gaps
through activating data and information for utilized knowledge?
• Learning how GADRI institutions use their disaster research data processes tohave more impact in disaster risk reduction?
Note: GADRI, GS 2021
Transfer of the UNDRR DwG (2020) concluding orientation into GADRI Data Sharing
Committee key elements:• Identification of ongoing case studies that trace the effectiveness of action dataprocesses.
• Establishment of a network of ‘data champions’ to oversee this process, either
managed by UNDRR or outsourced to other networks.
• Enhance sense making at all levels of risk governance to improve data driven
decision-making for DRR and sustainability.
• Maintain an integrative approach to data using all relevant global, regional andlocal initiatives in multi-disciplinary terms of engagement, such as through theGRAF, Sendai Framework Monitor, UNDRR partnerships and non-UN Alliancessuch as for example the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI).
•

Note: Collins, A.E., Richardson, B. and Zodrow, I. (2020) UNDRR STAG Data
Working Group (DWG): Report on Concept, Activity and Implication, United
Nations Disaster Risk Reduction; https://www.undrr.org/publication/stag-dataworking-group-report
GADRI Data Sharing, Action Data and Active Data Base – next steps:
1. Committee opening meeting
2. Consolidation of conceptual framework
3. Compilation of ready formed contributing ingredients
4. Evolution of methodology - actions toward the vision
5. Engaging stakeholders
6. Initial report (target date ?)Prof. Lori Peek shared information on a project on data training, data publication,and Data Ambassadors.
https://converge.colorado.edu/data/

4. Committee on Advocacy (Annex 4-c)
Chair: Prof. Paul Kovacs, Chair, GADRI; and Executive Director, ICLR, AdjunctResearch Professor, Economics, Western University, Canada
Presenter: Prof. Rajib Shaw, Fujisawa Campus, Keio University, Japan
Objective 5: to serve as an advocacy organization presenting evidence-based
approaches that influence decision-making processes
Where is the gap in advocacy?
• Balancing interest and demand: We do advocacy based on “our” [researcher’s]
interest• Gap identification: Need to change our mindset to understand the gaps, both atthe policy as well as grassroots level• Last and first mile: The so-called “last-mile” [where we put us, the researcher as
Mile Zero and community as the last mile] needs to be the “first mile” [where westart from the needs and priorities both at the policy and practice level]• Youth led innovation: Generation Z [who have been born with internet] has adifferent mindset for innovation, which need to be explored
Fulfilling the Institutional Void by promoting partnership• Need more entities to bring research, and innovation into DRR, Climate
Change and Sustainable Development• Need to promote:• Sci-preneuership = Scientist + Entrepreneur
Global-regional-national-local-thematic• Regional advocacy: While global advocacy is important, the actual advocacy
actions happen in regional and national level: focus on regional GADRI like
SAADRI (south Asia) as well as other regional nodes• National advocacy: Strengthening national nodes through knowledge andevidence resources• Thematic advocacy: need to be specific on thematic issues like: water
management, urban resilience, eco-DRR, blue-green infra, critical infra etc. : needto prioritize some specific areas
Youth involvement• GADRI needs to have its specific youth brigade for research and innovation••Can collaborate with existing youth led initiatives like U-Inspire
Provide innovation ecosystem for youth participation and leadershipMedia and communication• Need to provide specific advocacy message for policy and practice• Co-design the message with science communication• Work closely with different types of media and generate media and advocacy
strategy
5. Committee on Networking (Annex 4-d)
Chair: Prof. Ortwin Renn, IASS, Potsdam, Germany
Presenter: Prof. Charles Scawthorn
Networking: the action or process of interacting with others to exchange
information and develop professional or social contacts(GADRI context): “fostering [mechanisms and actions for] communication andexchanges to promote disaster research”• Just formed, no specific activities as yet• Possible activities being considered:• Some sort of blog on disaster research (time intensive, need a naturalblogger)• Or, aggregate other blogs related to disaster research (ditto)• Develop and promote a template for personnel exchanges (“GADRIScholars”) (funding?)• Create a scholarly journal of disaster research (what is GADRI alreadydoing?)• Better utilize social media
Prof. Charles Scawthorn stressed that the Committee on Networking is more aboutcommunicating with people and not organizations.

Prof. Lori Peek shared the following information on existing networks within theorganisation:
GEER and STEER also have member surveys similar to SSEER member survey. So
perhaps those could also be used for potential items to help if a directory were tobe launched.
For example: https://geerassociation.org/join-geer