15 July 2023
Disaster Risk Reduction
As a result of climate change, extreme weather conditions are on the rise around the world. Last year, there was widespread damage from extremely heavy rain and resulting flash floods in large parts of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
At the same time, we experienced an exceptional drought situation the following year. These phenomena are occurring more frequently not only in Germany but around the world, causing major infrastructural, economic and social damage.
The global community has adopted two frameworks in this regard in the past: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Hyogo Framework for Action. Both serve as a guide for action to reduce damage from natural disasters for countries in the global community.
The Hyogo Framework was superseded by the Sendai Framework in 2015. The Sendai Framework was created as part of the 2030 Agenda.
Disaster risk reduction (DRR) will become increasingly important. It is essential to train experts who are able to develop DRR measures and accompany their implementation, as well as to advise governments, municipalities, companies, etc. in this regard. The Ahr Valley disaster of 2021 clearly shows us the current discrepancies in disaster risk management.
For these reasons and the increasing urgency to act out, we are planning a Summer School on the overarching topic of Disaster Risk Reduction for the year 2023. As this is an interdisciplinary topic, the Summer School will address students (Bachelor, Master, PhD) from a wide range of disciplines (engineers, social scientists, geographers, computer scientists, teachers, etc.).
The Summer School is intended to serve as training on the topic of Disaster Risk Reduction and is designed for future decision makers and practitioners dealing in this field.
The content of the Summer School is based on the five steps of the Risk Management Cycle (Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery) and will be conducted with the participation of experts from within and outside the university. The content focus is on flooding due to heavy rainfall (pluvial flooding).
The content elements of the Summer School are intended to represent a balanced alternation between science and practice. In addition to theoretical and practical units, regional and cultural elements are also planned, as a visit to Bonn (THW headquarter and House of History), to the Ahr valley and to the National Park Hunsrück-Hochwald. The content of the program can be taken from our website.
Target group
As the topic of Disaster Risk Reduction is a multi-disciplinary one, students from all fields of study are highly welcome.
Course aim
Improve students' understanding and knowldge of Disaster Risk Reduction, especially on flood risk reduction, by not only providing theoretical insights but also practical ones.
Credits info
4 EC
The validation and acceptance of the credits needs to be clarified with the home university.
Fee info
EUR 250: Fees cover course fees and accompanying programme. Accomodation and daily expenses (for food, etc.) are not covered in the fees.