During the last days of August, DRU researchers Vicente Sandoval and Verena Flörchinger chaired a session titled “Resilient Futures in a World of Difference: Connecting Dimensions for Integrated Disaster Risk Management” at the 35th International Geographical Congress, held this year in Dublin, Ireland, from August 24-30, 2024. This session was co-organized with Peter Priesmeier (Institute of Rescue Engineering and Civil Protection, Cologne University of Applied Sciences) and Mahsa Moghadas (Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation, University of Bonn), both researchers working on the INCREASE project.

Source: Lijie Dong, 2024.

The session revolved around the interplay of diverse knowledge forms, practices, stakeholders, and cultures in the realm of integrated disaster risk management. It aimed to discuss multi-dimensional policies and strategies to prevent new disaster risks, reduce existing ones, and manage residual risk, while contributing to the enhancement of resilience and the reduction of disaster-related losses in a world that is spatially, socio-economically, politically, and culturally diverse.

The organizers had high expectations, receiving more than 30 abstracts for this session. After a rigorous evaluation process due to the high quality of the submissions, eight works were selected, representing a diverse set of ideas and experiences. For example, Katyayini Sood and Nico Fricke (from the University of Bonn) presented "Lack of Resilience in Rural Himalayan Villages: Case Study of 2023 Flash Floods in Kullu." Ronan McDermott (University College Dublin), Saut Sagala (Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia), and Annisaa Indrarini and Danang Azhari (Resilience Development Initiative, Bandung, Indonesia) presented "The Implications of Digital Governance for Accountability in Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of the e-Musrenbang Participation Tool in Surabaya, Indonesia."

Source: Vicente Sandoval (left), Lijie Dong (right), 2024.

Other presenters included Brandy N. Alger, Julia Becker, Matthew Hughes, and David Johnston (all from New Zealand), Hung-Chih Hung and Tzu-Yuan Weng (Taiwan), and Chunyu Dong, Yu Yan, and Jie Guo (China).

From DRU, Vicente Sandoval presented “Exploring International Learning and Knowledge Exchange: Experiences from a Cross-Regional Project on Integrated Disaster Risk Management,” which introduced recent research carried out in the context of the INCREASE project. Similarly, Verena Flörchinger presented “Unveiling the Silent Disaster: Lessons from Recent Heatwaves and Droughts in Germany for Integrated Disaster Risk Management,” which focused on the impacts, vulnerabilities, and lessons to learn from recent droughts and heatwaves in Germany. Her presentation explored the consequences for society and disaster risk management, emphasizing the need for a proactive and integrated approach to address slow-onset hazards.

Source: Lijie Dong, 2024.

Overall, the experience was highly enriching and beneficial for the DRU. The opportunity to share DRU research, engage with a wide range of perspectives, and learn from the latest studies in disaster risk management has furthered our knowledge and inspired new ideas. We look forward to applying these insights to our work and contributing to future discussions in this field.