Preventing Disasters and Minimizing Their Consequences

Working Groups

The conference begins Wednesday, April 26, at Noon and runs through Friday, April 28, 2006, concluding at 1:30 pm. Conference participants are asked to join working groups that will develop specific proposals or frameworks during the conference for use in follow up activities. An essential feature of the conference, these interdisciplinary working groups will include leaders who can play a significant role in shaping future actions.

Each attendee is asked to participate in two working groups: one tool and one target. Working group findings will be presented in ongoing plenary discussions at the conference and reported out after the meeting in an international medium. See the Registration page for enrollment.

As a participant, you are asked to plan to attend the entire meeting. Everyone present will be an integral part of working groups and engaged in a progressive series of discussions. You will have the opportunity to shape the symposium’s products. We are looking forward to your important contribution.

Targets

Natural catastrophes – Why do natural events yield grave or small consequences depending on preparedness? Early warning systems, building design, and durable communication systems can alter the outcome of hurricanes, earthquakes, avalanches or floods. Volcanoes can be unpredictable, yet damage can be great or small depending on many factors, such as where people build

Disease Epidemics – Bird flu, SARS, anthrax, smallpox, and other agents require complex prevention plans. Currently, the government and academia are spending billions of dollars trying to be prepared for future events, while the public’s information about and perception of the threat is uneven at best, as anxiety grows. Critical issues include variability in sustainable surveillance capacity across the globe and establishing the appropriate locus for leadership and, importantly, action.

Consequences of maritime activity – The unintended consequences of maritime activity can have a profound effect on the marine environment. A good example is the absence of international rules to govern the discharge of ballast water. The spread of the “zebra mussel” is evidence of the serious socioeconomic impact and the endangerment of healthy natural environments. How do we encourage and establish international agreements to prevent or mitigate the consequences of ballast water exchange and discharge?

Emerging technologies – A vast array of new technologies promise to advance health, production, and commerce. But what are the potential risks to humans of these new materials and innovations, for example, those associated with nanotechnology? We must evaluate new forms of manufacturing and their impact on the environment and human health. What can be done to begin to anticipate and minimize adverse effects?

Tools

Leadership, communication and education – Leadership is a critical part of minimizing consequences. Who has accountability for disasters that span cities, states and national boundaries? Who takes responsibility for national or international cooperative actions? How do we garner the political will needed for change? Risk communication and disaster education for the public must be improved.

Financial incentives and disincentives – Governments, banks, insurance companies, and real estate entities have a vested interest in minimizing the consequences of disasters. Insurance companies are required to compensate huge losses. Financial incentives can be provided to consumers, for example, a discount to homeowners to build using earthquake resistant designs. Novel incentives must be found to further disaster mitigation.

Infrastructure/businesscontinuity – The continuity of business and of multiple services during and after a disaster is critical. This includes power grids, sewage systems, water supply, transportation systems and financial services. When aging systems fail, whose responsibility is it to fix them? What are the global best practices in this area?

Effective and reliable communications systems are vital to disaster mitigation. Participants will learn about cutting-edge information technologies and new strategies to deploy and maintain them, for example, early warning sensors and geographic information systems.

Policy and regulation – National, political and cultural differences concerning the roles of government and the private sector pose a challenge and influence both planning and action related to disasters. How can effective strategies be implemented at the local, state, federal, and global levels? The ability to craft policy to support long-term preparedness is critical. How should policy be changed to achieve within country or cross-sectoral or cross-boundary cooperation? What types of steps will be effective? What do they cost?

Each participant is asked to sign up for a working group in each of these two areas. Indicate first and second choices on the registration page.