National Training

Development

Globally, disasters are increasing and leading to ever increasing human tragedy and economic costs. Significant progress towards disaster reduction will require enhancing capacities and reducing vulnerabilities, which includes arresting environmental degradation and improving management of ecosystems and natural resources.

Environmental sustainability and disaster resilience must be built into local and national development to protect lives and assets, sustain livelihoods and manage climate change impacts. In order to support vulnerable countries in addressing these challenges, the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) has designed a Training Course on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development aimed at strengthening resilience at national and local levels. This training course draws from expertise within PEDRR and is based on the existing training and educational materials developed over the years by individual PEDRR partners.

Key Aims, Objectivies and Messages

What is the aim of this training course?

The objective of the training course is to promote and catalyze institutional change towards integrating ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction into development planning at national and sub-national levels..

What are the learning objectives of this training course?

At the end of the course, participants will have :

Increased their awareness about the multiple benefits of ecosystem services for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, and the methods for sustaining and enhancing these services.
Developed knowledge and skills on how to integrate ecosystem management and disaster risk reduction into climate-resilient development planning processes.
Improved cross-sectoral collaboration amongst their peers in environmental/ecosystem management, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and development sectors.

What are the key messages of this training course?

As disaster risk is increasing globally, traditional approaches alone won’t work; there is a need to think and act differently.
Ecosystems provide multiple benefits for both disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction is a cost-effective disaster prevention strategy; therefore, ecosystem services for DRR should be sustained and enhanced in national plans and DRR strategies.
Many key players, across sectors and at different levels, are needed to effectively implement ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and integrate this approach into development planning processes for maximum impact.
Incentives are needed to promote ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and support its mainstreaming into development.
A number of tools for ecosystem management already exist which could be applied for DRR.
Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction can be used to address climate-related risks and strengthen local adaptation to climate change.

Who is the target audience for this training course

Policymakers, programme managers and practitioners from government, working at national and sub-national levels in various sectors: environmental/natural resource management, environmental protection/ regulation, disaster management, urban planning, land-use planning, public finance, National Platforms for DRR, Hyogo Framework for Action focal points, and National Adaptation Plan of Action focal points.

PEDRR also welcomes collaboration with regional and national training institutions in order to further disseminate and incorporate elements of the Training Course into existing training programmes on disaster management, climate change or sustainable development.

What is the expected result of this training course?

Participants work together in developing an “Agenda for Action” to integrate ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction into development planning at national and/or sub-national levels. The Agenda for Action is a reflection of what participants have decided to prioritize and follow up on collectively after the training. It can describe a “Road Map” with key milestones and timelines, or it can simply identify 2-3 priority actions which could be implemented in the short to medium term by the participants themselves, based on their current mandates, roles and responsibilities.

Key topics covered in the training include:

What is Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction?
Linkages between environment, disasters and disaster risk reduction
Linkages between Eco-DRR and climate change adaptation
Eco-DRR and Post-Disaster Recovery
A range of “tools” or approaches may be presented
- – Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- – Integrated Watershed Management
- – Risk and Vulnerability Assessments
- – Protected Areas and DRR
- – Community-based natural resource management and DRR
- – Land-use planning and Eco-DRR
Applying Eco-DRR in the national context: Mainstreaming into development planning and programming
Overview of Eco-DRR for Policymakers

Course Structure and Duration

What is the duration of this training course?

The standard duration of the course is 4 days, including a one-day field trip illustrating the practices highlighted in the sessions. Click here to download the PEDRR Training Course Flyer.

What is the structure of this training course?

The Training Course is divided into different modules, which can be adapted in terms of content and time-frame according to the specific audience and needs in a given training context. Specific segments or full sessions can also be integrated into existing training courses and workshops, provided that due acknowledgement of the source is provided.

The Training Course makes use of interactive learning methods and promotes participatory exercises. The Training utilizes videos, case study analyses, group work exercises, systems learning-oriented “games”, group presentations, and guest lectures. The Course may also be prepared as a half-day session geared specifically for policymakers.