Young Scientists Event on Disaster

Risk Reduction
May 13th, UNESCO-IHE Delft, The Netherlands

Organised by UNESCO-IHE and Deltares in collaboration with Delft University of Technology,

University of Amsterdam, The Young Scientists Platform on DRR, UN Major Group of Children and
Youth, The Water Youth Network and UNISDR
Introduction

This event brought together multi-disciplinary researchers, practitioners and students to jointly
identify the challenges for implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 -
2030 and the ways for young scientists to address these in future research.

The objectives of the event were to:

● Increase awareness among young scientists about Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction implementation
● Collate existing research knowledge on DRR within the water sector and identify research
gaps in relation to the Sendai Frameworks Priorities for Action
● Identify opportunities to continue multidisciplinary research by young scientists and early
career researchers
● Formulate input and support for the thematic groups under the Young Scientists Platform on
Disaster Risk Reduction being co-ordinated by UN Major Group for Children and Youth

The programme had a number of different components. To set the scene introductions were
provided on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030, the UNISDR Science
and Technology Partnership and The Young Scientists Platform on DRR. Next, four young scientists
presented their own research framed under one of the Priorities for Action of the Sendai Framework.
These presentations set the stage for four interactive breakout sessions on the following related
topics;

1. Priority for Action 1: Understanding Disaster Risk

2. Priority for Action 2: Disaster Risk Governance
3. Priority for Action 3: Investing in resilience: Eco-DRR
4. Priority for Action 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build
Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction: Early Warning

During these breakouts the following questions were addressed:

1. How is this topic addressed in DRR policy?

2. What are the key research developments and partners on this topic?
3. What are the existing research gaps?
4. How can young scientists contribute to filling the gap?

The facilitators pre-prepared the answers to questions 1 and 2 and presented them to the
participants at the beginning of the session. The interactive part of the session involved collecting
the research gaps and identifying how young scientists can contribute to filling the gaps. Upon
registration for the event, participants were asked to identify research gaps (question 3) and the
results were used by the facilitators to tailor the session. The summarised results are presented in
this document and the detailed programme can be seen on the following page.

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09:30 Introduction and welcome Chris Zevenbergen, UNESCO-IHE

09:40 Sendai Framework and the Science and Technology Partnership Ms. Virginia Murray Vice Chair UNISDR
and Roadmap STAG

09:50 Young Scientists Platform on DRR Annisa Triyanti, Focal point

10:00 The power of networks for DRR Ms Mansi Jasuja, President, Alumni
International, Erasmus University
Rotterdam

Young Scientists sharing good practices and challenges

10:10 Understanding disaster risk Shima Ebrahimi, TU Delft

10:20 Governance: An arena for disaster risk reduction Robert Sakic Trogrlic, Heriot Watt
University

10:30 Eco-DRR: Building with Nature for sustainable water management Tim Busker, University of Utrecht
solutions

10:40 Young Expert Programme & water treatment in Nicaragua Bayardo Gonzalez, YEP and TU-Delft

11:00 Interactive breakout session

Understanding disaster risk (B3) Andreas Burzel, Deltares

Disaster risk governance (B2) Eric Chu, University of Amsterdam

Eco-DRR Investing in resilience (B6) Annisa Triyanti, University of

Amsterdam

Preparedness and Early warning (B1) Lydia Cumiskey, Deltares

11:45 Feedback (5 mins per group)

12:10 Science-Policy Closing remarks Corsmas Goemans, Netherlands

Ministry for Security and Justice

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 Participants
Overall 102 people registered for the event from The event was live streamed and recorded for
44 different countries, see below. 50 people those that could not attend in person. See link
attended the interactive breakout sessions. here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RezAdR-
m0pM

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 The Young Scientists Platform on DRR was launched at the UNISDR Science & Technology
conference in Geneva, January 2016, during a side event on the role of young scientists in the
implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR (see the Press Release Here). The Platform
came about as a follow up action from the Children and Youth Forum at the Third World Conference
on DRR and youth’s participation in the design of the Sendai Framework, facilitated by the UN Major
Group of Children and Youth and supported by the UNISDR Secretariat and Science and
Technology Advisory Group UNISDR. The young scientist’s roadmap on DRR has been created to
complement the UNISDR Science and Technology Roadmap to support the implementation of the
Sendai Framework for DRR.

Thematic groups will be developed

under the platform in line with the Priority
Areas for Action of the Sendai Framework for
DRR, see figure to the right. This will enable
the platform to reach out to young scientists
on specific topics and encourage
intergenerational and multi-disciplinary
research which can support the evidence
based implementation of the Sendai
Framework. The platform welcomes
organisations and individuals to coordinate
individual thematic groups and this was
discussed during this event.

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 Breakout 1: Understanding Disaster Risk
Facilitators: Andreas Burzel and Ben van Kester (Deltares)

This breakout highlighted the importance of “Understanding Disaster Risk” as a crucial first step for
effective disaster risk reduction and delivery of the 7 global targets outlined in the Sendai
Framework, which states that “Policies and practices for disaster risk management should be based
on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of
persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment”.

Prior to the session research gaps were collected from participants and a number of these were
discussed in detail during the session, see table below. The following additional research gaps were
identified but not discussed in detail:

● Lack of standards and definitions

● Lack of research on multi-hazard risk e.g. flash floods, seismic mapping, water quality,
drought
● Limited understanding of local coastal hydrodynamics processes and integrated coastal zone
management
● Limited spatial resolution of models (global, national, local)
● Challenges modelling risk from a mathematical viewpoint / tail probabilities of occurrences /
compounding events
● Lack of fragility and damage curves
● Including uncertainty in risk maps (hazard, exposure)
● Lack of adequate and qualified personnel who work for disaster risk assessment

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Key element Research gaps
Underlying Lack of awareness of interactions
Drivers of Risk between the natural system and society.
Improving the understanding of people
and communities on how their actions
affect the risk to improve both quality
and impact of the scientific work.
Scientific progress is not communicated
and therefore does not connect to local
experts or local community.
Any transfer of knowledge between
locals experts and researchers helps
both parties do better work. Local
experts can help disseminate
information to the community.
Understanding Improve our understanding of the
risk perception at individual and communal (cultural)
community level perception of risk. This can help
researchers understand people’s
actions and reach people more
effectively when trying to reduce
disaster risk.
Translating risk Improving methods for co-creation of
assessments risk assessments and action plans with
into actions society. Combining bottom up and top
down input into the research and into
the action plans.
Participatory Lack of open accessible exposure data
data collection to support risk assessments
Critical Limited understanding of the
infrastructure vulnerability and interdependencies of
and supply critical infrastructures and supply chains
chains
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Filling the gaps
Include the society/ community in
the process of understanding risk
and reducing it.
Highlight the importance of
connecting community contexts to
risk science in research and project
proposals and with senior
researchers to acquire the budget to
include local communities.
Include local experts in projects and
form lasting relationships.
Young scientists can help by using
our international network to find
local experts and by stressing to
importance of local inclusion to
senior partners and in proposals.
Conduct research at the local level
whereby the scientific view can help
the locals, whereas the indigenous
knowledge from the community can
bring new insights to researchers.
Propose such new co-creation
approaches to the senior
researchers and stress the
importance of co-creation to support
successful implementation
Promote the use of the Open Street
Map community for exposure data
collection within (research) projects
and contribute to the global dataset
which can then be reused by other
researchers, and local experts
Engage in applied research on tools
that can improve our understanding
e.g. CIrcle (Deltares) which uses
stakeholder engagement to collect
information on the
interdependencies between critical
infrastructure
Session attendees
First name Last name Organisation Position
Adugnaw
Birhanu Zegeye Debre Tabor University MA, MSc Student
Hang Li TU Delft PhD candidate
Pieter van Gelder TU Delft Prof.
Trang Schuurman-Vu Independent researcher Independent researcher
Msc Construction management
Margarita Tsavdaroglou 3TU and engineering
Institute for Housing and Urban
Giraldo Development Studies, Erasmus
Juliana Sanabria University, Rotterdam Master
Delta Academy Applied
Research Centre at the HZ
Gerben Dekker University of Applied Sciences Junior Researcher
National School for Water and
Peyroche Environmental Engineering in
Clotilde d'Arnaud Strasbourg (ENGEES) Master
Jeewanthi Sirisena UNESCO-IHE PhD fellow
Andreas Burzel Deltares Flood Risk Analyst
Ben van Kester Deltares Flood risk analyst

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 Breakout 2: Disaster risk governance
Facilitators: Eric Chu, University of Amsterdam and Robert Sakic Trogrlic, Heriot- Watt University

The breakout session started with a discussion on the meaning of governance and what it implies.
Given the geographical diversity of the participants and their experience with governance issues, the
discussion resulted in interesting interpretations on the challenges and how governance for DRR
could be enhanced. One of the raised concerns was that it is still very often difficult to draw a line
between government and governance, and that it very much depends on a specific country context.

The discussion emphasized that there are many points that research can tackle. Furthermore, the
power of youth as an important stakeholder group and the innovative ideas brought by young
scientists was seen as an important step in upgrading current state of knowledge related to
governance. The following research gaps were identified during a breakout session.

Key element Research gaps Filling gaps

Participation Participation: by whom, how and ● Treating youth as a resource and

where?
Youth inclusion in policy making
and associated benefits
hub of information and ideas
● Inclusion of youth in decision
making
● Developing new, simpler and more
effective participation tools

Application of How to bridge the “scale gap” ● Better science/ policy interface and
global between global framework and its cooperation
framework on application on local levels? ● Better communication of targets and
local levels indicators for practitioners

Research A need for evidence- based ● Providing case studies of

agendas research on successful DRR “champions”
governance

Indicators for The indicators used to describe ● More evidence based research
good good governance are broad and (practical and bottom-up) on
governance very often difficult to understand development of innovative
indicators

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List of attendants
First name Last name Organisation Position
Marianne Skov UNESCO-IHE Stud. Msc. Flood Risk Management
Rick Hogeboom University of Twente PhD Candidate
IHS, Erasmus Student, MSc Urban Management and
University & University Development, Development researcher
Crinezza Veil Mendoza of the Philippines and environment planner
Advisor Adaptive Delta Management and
Tom Bucx Deltares Disaster Risk Management
Hani Mohamad UNESCO-IHE Student (Msc Flood Risk Management)
Adibtya Asyhari UNESCO IHE Student - MSc in Flood Risk Management
UNESCO-IHE Institute Student (MSc in Environmental Science
Jasmine Meredith for Water Education and Technology)
Linckleau
Wouter Arrienes TFA CEO

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 Breakout 3: Eco-DRR - Investing in Resilience
Session Facilitators: Annisa Triyanti, (University of Amsterdam), Tim Busker (Utrecht University),
and Monica Altamirano (Deltares)

Contributing author: Martijn van Staveren (Wageningen University)

This breakout session aimed to understand the key elements and research gaps for Ecosystem-
based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and identify ways to fill them. The diverse background of
participants ranging from natural to social science resulted in an interdisciplinary discussion on Eco-
DRR. The breakout identified four key elements to be addressed in Eco-DRR research, which are 1)
The concept of building with nature; 2) The economical perspective; 3) Governance issue; and 4)
Diversity of research topic within the Eco-DRR concept. More detailed elaboration on each key
element can be found in the table below.

Key element Research gaps Filling gaps

The concept of ● Building with nature is currently
building with perceived more as innovation and
nature project oriented term while prior to
industrialization, humans were initially
only working with nature
● The lack of best practices based on
local context
The need to perceive building
with nature based on local
practices, not merely as a
constructed or project based
concept

The ● Cost benefit analysis is currently Develop better indicators to

economical developed, which can help us to make
perspective better decisions but it is difficult to
measure the value of green
infrastructure. For example, what is the
benefit of walking in a green park after
a stressful day? It is difficult to give
value to this, and this is why decisions
are always made on the hard
infrastructure.
improve cost benefit analysis,
including direct and indirect
benefits
Share information on best
practices to understand the
benefits of building with nature

Governance ● The old economy was governing the old
issue decisions on infrastructure, we are
pleading for a new economy to lead
decisions on infrastructure.
● Several parties are not always working
towards a common goal
Involve diverse actors in the
governance effort, including
local community, government,
and private sectors

Diversity of ● Research related to interdependent There is a need to diversify

research components of the ecosystem such as research to cover of all types of
topics within the connection between groundwater to ecosystem. The research is
Eco-DRR support ecosystem services and DRR currently focusing on the
concept is not well explored. coastal ecosystems such as
mangrove and coral reef in
protecting coastal area from
flooding, tsunami, or storms.

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List of attendants

First name Last name Organisation Position

Flora Anvarifar TU Delft PhD candidate
Martijn van Staveren Wageningen University PhD candidate
Hugo de Rijke Deltares/Wageningen UR Research Intern
Carlos Salinas UNESCO-IHE PhD candidate
TU Delft and Universitas
Anastasia Yunika Atma Jaya Yogyakarta PhD candidate
Elske Möring Wageningen University Master student
Chinaporn Meechaiya UNESCO-IHE Msc graduate
Andreas Antoniou IGRAC Researcher
Monica Altamirano Deltares Expert
Student at Utrecht University and
Tim Busker Utrecht University Young water ambassador
Thu
Romy Stijsiger Wageningen Universiteit Master Student

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 Breakout 4: Preparedness and early warning
Session Facilitators: Lydia Cumiskey (Deltares), Patricia Trambauer (Deltares) and Micha Werner
(UNESCO-IHE and Deltares)
Contributing authors: Imra Hodzic and Stuart Pearson

Firstly a general overview of the definitions and the different key elements of early warning (risk
knowledge, monitoring and warning, communication and dissemination and response capabilities)
were explained by referring to the latest Terminology and Indicators under review by UNISDR. The
relevance of having a dedicated global target on early warning in the Sendai Framework was
highlighted. The current early warning system and the challenges were explained for a case study in
Mauritius.

The participants were divided into four groups each representing a different key element of early
warning to discuss the research gaps. Then a more general discussion was held on how young
scientists can fill these gaps. The table below presents a summary of the discussion. Overall the
importance of young professionals making the link between the different disciplines to solve the
technical and social problems together was highlighted.

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Key elements Research gaps Filling the gaps

Risk ● Developing risk assessments and maps that Field based research to
Knowledge include hazard, exposure and vulnerability evaluate the best
information at different scales in an approaches to
understandable way for users communicate risk
● The best mechanisms to involve different local assessments
authorities and citizens in data collection and Investigate how to
risk assessments improve (participatory)
● How to ensure ownership and use of the risk data collection and make
assessments by the relevant government it more open and
agencies, different sectors and NGOs. accessible
● Systematic collection of flood hazard
(inundation) and impact (damages, loss of life)
information so it can be used to update risk
assessments

Monitoring and ● Connecting the risk information to the Develop tools and
Warning forecasting information to deliver more processes for integrating
meaningful warnings risk/impact and real-time
● Ensuring real-time data availability from a information
reliable hydro-meteorological monitoring Research methods to
network optimise the efficiency of
● Limited lead times for warnings due to the long the forecast and warning
computational time of models process and ways to
● How to maximise the use of citizen data from integrate indigenous
social media for real time monitoring knowledge
● Lack of educational programs for
meteorologists and forecasters
● Limited use of indigenous knowledge as part of
the warning generation process

Communication ● How to ensure the right governance structures Conduct research on how
and and standard operating procedures are in place to improve flood warning
dissemination to ensure clears roles and responsibilities for interpretation and
warning generation and dissemination response, and the most
● Lack of understanding of why people don’t effective warning
listen to warnings or follow the given dissemination channels
instructions from national to local
● Lack of understanding on how to maximise levels
social media as a warning communication Research on specific
channel recipient groups who are
● How to reach everyone especially immigrants less familiar with warnings
and tourists who are not familiar with the
situation/warnings, physical environment,
language, etc.

Response ● Difficult to increase and maintain awareness Evaluate the benefits of

capabilities and education among communities on flood early warning in various
warning interpretation and response (e.g. countries globally
engaging youth in schools) Document the value of
● Lack of understanding of the local needs and community participation
cultures when designing warning systems for effective early warning
● Evaluating the benefits warnings after events

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List of attendants breakout 4:

First name Last name Organisation Position

Sri Hayyu
Alynda Heryati UNESCO-IHE MSc student
MSc in Water Science and Engineering -
Jamie De la Hozavarro UNESCO-IHE Coastal Engineering and Port Development
Ulrich Rackwitz UNESCO-IHE MSc
Erika Landaverde UNESCO-IHE Erasmus Mundus Flood Risk Management
Neiler Medina UNESCO-IHE PhD fellow
Graduate student of MSc degree, Water
Science and Engineering, specialization in
Imra Hodzic UNESCO-IHE Flood Risk Management
Stuart Pearson TU Delft MSc Student
Femke Davids Deltares Researcher / Consultant
MSc-Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin
Sudish lal Maskey UNESCO-IHE Development
UNESCO-IHE/TU
Miguel Laverde DELFT PhD fellow
Abasyn
University
Peshawar
Muhammad Asim Pakistan Doctor of Pharmacy
Patricia Trambauer Deltares Consultant/researcher
Wageningen
Luca Peters University Msc water management
Joanne Craven UNESCO-IHE Visiting researcher
Nikeh Booister FloodCom Co-owner
Ahmed Nasr UNESCO-IHE Msc Student
UNESCO_IHE/
Werner Micha Deltares Lecturer
Dana Stuparu Deltares Researcher/ Advisor

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Young Scientists taking action

Overall the breakout sessions showed that young scientists have a huge contribution to make to
bridge the research gaps and support the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework for
DRR. There was consensus that different thematic groups (or communities) could be developed
which would focus on generating, collating and sharing knowledge by young scientists and early
career researchers and enable them to use this knowledge to support evidence based policy.
Possible activities for the thematic groups are outlined below.

● Collate knowledge
○ Repository of knowledge (MSc thesis, PhD thesis, reports etc.) and avoid duplication
○ Share information about upcoming trainings, events and jobs.

● Generate knowledge
○ Support MSc. and PhD programmes that address the research gaps
○ Promote more field level research
○ Support joint publications

● Share knowledge
○ Focused events and seminars on specific topics e.g. early warning, drivers of risk
○ Informal intergenerational networking events
○ Online webinars and blog posts

● Contribute to evidence based policy (through UN MGCY)

○ UNISDR Terminology and Indicators meetings
○ Others policy agendas, events and reports through the UN MGCY Science Policy
Interface Platform e.g. Global Sustainable Development Report and the Technology
Facilitation Mechanism for the Sustainable Development Goals

To realise these thematic groups the following is required:

1. Committed individual and organisations to coordinate specific thematic topics to achieve the
objectives outlined above
2. Resources to support the coordinators including space for holding events, time during
regular working hours, and funds for logistical support (travel, food, accommodation). This
can be in-kind or funded.
3. Partnerships with universities, youth organisations, research institutions, private sector
organisation, NGOs and government organisations to support knowledge transfer and
coordination.

The Young Scientists Platform on DRR co-ordinated by UN-MGCY can support young scientists to
utilise their research to support evidence based policy particularly for the successful implementation
of the Sendai Framework.

Please get in touch with drrspi@childrenyouth.org if you are interested to support or contribute to a
thematic group.

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Conclusions

● Young scientists are actively doing research on different components of DRR and can shape
the way for existing and new research to support the successful implementation of the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

● Peer reviewed paper on “the power of networks” will be led by Robert Sakic Trogrlic in
cooperation with UNISDR STAG, IHS Rotterdam, Deltares and The Young Scientists
Platform on DRR.

● The partners during the event including UNESCO-IHE, Deltares, IHS Rotterdam, University
of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, UNISDR STAG and The Water Youth
Network will assess how they can support the Young Scientists Platform on DRR and in
particular the thematic groups.

● The Young Scientists Platform on DRR focal points will take forward the outcomes of the
event and continue engaging with the participants to develop a work plan for a selected
number of thematic groups (communities).

If you would like further information on the event and results of the breakout sessions please get in
touch with Lydia Cumiskey at Lydia.cumiskey@deltares.nl.

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Acknowledgements

A big thank you to all the organisers and supporters for making this event a huge success in
bringing together our young scientists working on DRRR. We look forward to continuing
engagement with you all!

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