Special Session on Neglected Areas of Disaster Loss and Damage at the 2nd International Conference on Geographical Science for Resilient Communities, Ecosystems and Livelihoods under Global Environmental Change
This page contains the Description, Concept Note, Timetable, Event, Facilitator, Speakers, Photos, Video, Feedback and Blog.
Description
The Special Session on Neglected Areas of Disaster Loss and Damage took place on Wednesday 07 December 2022 at 11:30 – 13:30 GMT (UK) which equated to 14:30 – 16:30 EAT (Uganda).
This highly topical and timely Special Session at the 2nd International Conference on ‘Geographical Science for Resilient Communities, Ecosystems and Livelihoods under Global Environmental Change (GORILLA)’ in Kampala, Uganda addressed the neglected areas of Loss and Damage.
Facilitated by the ADN Uganda Hub this Special Session on ‘Neglected Areas of Disaster Loss and Damage’ engaged with policymakers, policy influencers, politicians, researchers, climate activists and climate scientists to bring the neglected areas to the fore. Some of the neglected areas that the Expert Panel explored were:
- direct and indirect losses as well as their cascading effects on people’s health, nutrition, lives and livelihoods
- limits of coping and adaptation from recurrent loss of livelihoods and depletion of natural resources based on local evidence
- capacity-building needs for local and national actors for loss and damage
- strengthening governance for loss and damage
- understanding loss and damage at the intersection of Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Protocol, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management Framework.
Concept Note
To download the Concept Note for the Special Session on Neglected Areas of Disaster Loss and Damage, please click here.
Timetable
| Session Title | Speaker |
| Welcome Speech | Dr. Yazidhi Bamutaze (Makerere University) |
| Introduction to Special Session | Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett (Avoidable Deaths Network) |
| Expert Panel of Speakers | Dr. Anil Gupta (National Institute Disaster Management Authority), RT Honourable Shawn Edward (Government of St Lucia), Dr. Golam Rasul (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka), Mr. Samuel Akera (UNDP – Ethiopia) & Mr. Rahul Sengupta (UNDRR – Bonn)Chairs: Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett & Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita (Avoidable Deaths Network) |
| Q&A | Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett (Avoidable Deaths Network) |
| Closing Ceremony | Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett (Avoidable Deaths Network) |
Event
The conference sought to address two fundamental questions; (1) “how can science, research and the academia contribute to the expedited achievement of global targets and resolve societal challenges? (2) how can local, regional and international partnerships as well as interactions between science, policy and practice enhance the delivery and achievements of the global development targets?
Guided by these fundamental questions, the GORILLA conference took stock of the emerging technologies, innovations and evolving knowledge streams to make a contribution in resolving the pressing societal problems and challenges to achieve sustainability. The conference was a great opportunity for conceptual, empirical and theoretical conversations on pressing sustainability and resilience issues from several perspectives.
To download the GORILLA Conference Program and Book of Abstracts, please click here.
Facilitator
ADN Hub Uganda
Dr. Yazidhi BamutazeAssociate Professor, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences (GGCS), Makerere University, Uganda.
Speakers
RT Honourable Shawn Edward, Government of Saint Lucia
A senior member of the Government of Saint Lucia who currently serves as the Minister of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training. He is also the Second Deputy Political Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party. Mr. Edward is passionate about poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, gender equity, disaster risk mitigation, and disaster response, focusing on relief and recovery. Mr. Edward holds MSc in in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester, UK.
Ms. Aliza Ayaz, UN Goodwill Ambassador and Climate Action Society
Aliza Ayaz is the world’s youngest United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and an international climate activist. Aliza is founder of the Climate Action Society (CAS), a global non-profit led by students for climate education and climate policy. Aliza participates in the United Nations Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and is fighting to correct the huge accessibility gap in climate change resources. At the UK House of Lords, Aliza helps the UK Parliament redirect attention to most up-to-date climate data and promising adaptation and mitigation solutions on the climate crisis. Now practicing as a health and business consultant, Aliza is continuing to bring attention to pressing environmental issues and implement sustainability measures at fashion brands and corporates.
Dr. Golam Rasul, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology
Dr Golam Rasul is currently working as a Professor, Department of Economics at the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Dhaka. He has over 30 years of experiences in research, development, and teaching in Bangladesh and abroad. Prior to his appointment at IUBAT, he was the Chief Economist, at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). He worked for more than 15 years in the Bangladesh Civil Service in different ministries. He has been actively involved in research in economic and environmental issues. He contributed to over 200 papers. His research findings incorporated in many national and global policy papers. He served as a Coordinating Lead author of the IPCC. He appeared as one of the top 2% most cited researchers in the Global Top Scientists list and one of the most popular development researchers in Bangladesh.
Mr. Samuel Akera, UNDP – Ethiopia
Mr. Akera is the Senior Resilience Advisor at UNDP Ethiopia. A Programme Specialist with over 15 years of professional experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change and development nexus. Holds a MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management, a M.A in Development Studies and Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification. A Commonwealth Scholar and winner of prestigious UK’s Adult Learners Award, 2014.
Dr. Anil Gupta, National Institute of Disaster Management, India
Dr. Anil Gupta is a resilience and sustainability strategist, with around 3 decade’s experience in diverse environment working with Government, corporate, academia, research and international cooperation. He is Director of Projects and Centre of Excellence, Head of Division and e-learning & Media Portfolio, International Cooperation, Technical Advisory & Consultancy Services as Full Professor of India’s National Institute of Disaster Management at New Delhi. He is Nodal Officers for Central Ministries, supported States in policy advocacy, planning & capacity building and coordinated Central Sector Scheme for Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu, DNH. He has credit of more than 180 publications including books, manuals, policy papers, high impact journal papers and articles referred globally.
Mr. Rahul Sengupta, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Mr. Sengupta has been with the United Nations for over 15 years, currently working as a Programme Management Officer at UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Bonn, Germany. Previously, Mr. Sengupta was the Programme Management Officer at UNDRR, Geneva. Prior to that, Mr. Sengupta was a Programme Analyst within the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery at UNDP, Geneva.
Chairs
– Dr. Yazidhi Bamutaze, Makerere University
– Dr. Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett, University of Leicester and ADN
– Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita, Kansai University and ADN
Photos
Video
Feedback
| No. | Feedback | Name | Institution |
| 1 | “Strategical and timely initiative by ADN” | Dr. Anil Gupta | National Institute of Disaster Management (India) |
| 2 | “Delighted to be part of today’s event… I commend Nibedita and her team for having the foresight to bring this…. Strengthen collaboration among like-minded individuals. For me it is not about giving expressions to what we know but the backdrop against what we do. So, I must extend my appreciation and thanks to the ADN Team for the sacrifices you make and the effort you put in for the course. It is not motivated by fame, but it is constitution of your character and the concern you have for mankind particularly those who are vulnerable…” | RT Honourable Shawn Edward | Government of Saint Lucia |
| 3 | “Great to work with ADN, thanks for this event in important occasion which is neglected” | Dr. Golam Rasul | International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka |
Blog
01 December 2022 – Blog on ‘COP27 Round-Up’
Mr. Tom Caley wrote a blog entitled ‘COP27 Round-Up’. The blog features a quick round up of takeaways from the annual climate change meeting.
To read the blog on our website, please click the following link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/2022/12/01/cop27-round-up/
Picture: Members of an Indigenous delegation from Brazil take part in the Walk for your Future Climate March ahead of COP27 in Brussels, Belgium on 23 October 2022 © Shutterstock (2022)
10 November 2022 – Blog on ‘Loss and Damage at COP27‘
Mr. Tom Caley, Dr. Nibedita Ray-Bennett and Mr. Alex Skinner wrote a blog entitled ‘Loss and Damage at COP27’. The blog features definitions of loss and damage; the importance of loss and damage; a brief history of debate and policy; and the future of loss and damage at the UNFCCC.
To read the blog on our website, please click the following link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/2022/11/10/loss-and-damage-at-cop27/.
Picture: COP26 March in Glasgow © Shutterstock (2022)