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April 14, 2011

[SSJ: 6627] Expert Workshop on "Human Security and Natural Disasters" - 26 April 2011

From: Christopher Hobson
Date: 2011/04/14

UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY
Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Expert Workshop on “Human Security and Natural Disasters”


The United Nations University (UNU) Institute for Sustainability and Peace, and the Human Security Program of the University of Tokyo are holding an expert workshop on Human Security and Natural Disasters, on Tuesday 26 April at UNU headquarters in Tokyo.


Natural disasters such as the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 2011, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods of 2010 have incredibly far-reaching consequences for the safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Yet discussion of human security has tended to focus more on war and human rights abuses, than on the immense human suffering caused by natural disasters.

In light of the recent disaster in Japan, this workshop will examine the relevance and significance of a human security framework in preparing for, reacting to, and understanding the impacts of natural disasters on people. The workshop seeks to identify how a human security approach can be applied, and identify policy recommendations and avenues for further research. Held as a closed workshop, it provides an opportunity for experts from academia, NGOs, government, and UN agencies to freely exchange thoughts and lessons learned.

Each session will feature short presentations, followed by open discussion and brainstorming amongst all participants. The workshop will be held in English, under the "Chatham House" rule. Below, please find the draft programme for further details.

If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please reply to hsnd@unu.edu, by Friday 22 April. Please note that as spaces are limited, participation cannot be guaranteed.

Expert Workshop: Human Security and Natural Disasters Draft Programme
Organizers: United Nations University (UNU) Institute for Sustainability and Peace; The University of Tokyo Human Security Program
Date: Tuesday 26 April
Venue: 5F Elizabeth Rose Hall, UNU Headquarters, Tokyo (please see www.unu.edu/access for directions)
Language: English
Format: Closed expert workshop, Chatham House rule*

10:30 – 11:15 The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Human Security
- Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi (UNU)
- Prof. Kensuke Fukushi (IR3S, University of Tokyo)
- Q&A
11:15 – 12:45 Understanding natural disasters through a human security framework
- 4 short presentations (discussion points)
- roundtable discussion
Questions:
• How can the human security framework assist in preparing for, and responding to, natural disasters?
• In applying the concept of human security to natural disasters, what do we learn about the concept and its utility?
12:45 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:15 Human security and emergency response to natural disasters
- 4 short presentations (discussion points)
- roundtable discussion
Questions:
• What short-term human security issues arise following a natural disaster, and how can human security be provided and protected in the immediate response?
• What role do different actors play in the provision and protection of human security in the case of natural disasters, and how can we overcome the difficulties in coordinating these different actors?
• What kinds of support should we provide for the victims of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident at Fukushima?
• What can we learn from other cases such as the Indian Ocean tsunami, and what could be the lessons of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake for future emergency responses, in terms of protecting human security?
* participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee break
15:45 – 17:00 Human security and recovering and rebuilding after natural disasters
- 4 short presentations (discussion points)
- roundtable discussion
Questions:
• What are the longer-term human security issues after a natural disaster, and what role do different actors play?
• How should human security be addressed in the rebuilding process after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident at Fukushima? What can we learn from other cases such as the reconstruction process in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami?
17:00 – 17:30 Wrap-up discussion: Lessons learned and ways forward General Questions • How can more vulnerable people – such as women, children and elderly people – be better protected?
• What similarities and differences exist between the impacts of natural disasters on human security in developed countries compared with developing countries?
• What similarities and differences can be identified between the human security issues that have arisen following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake compared to other major natural disasters?
• How can the crisis caused by the Fukushima nuclear power plant be understood through a human security framework?

Approved by ssjmod at 07:04 PM