Brian Ward Memorial Lecture
Jan Egeland, Human Rights Watch, speaks on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation - areas where urgent actions are needed.

3pm, Friday October 5, 2012

Free

 

Jan Egeland, deputy executive director of Human Rights Watch and director of its European operations, will give a lecture on the importance of proactive disaster prevention and preparedness and climate change adaptation. His lecture will raise questions on the interconnectedness between a changing climate and the heightened risks from natural disasters, highlighting the importance of weather and climate services. His lecture comes at a time when governments around Asia are confronting ways to reduce disaster impacts and make communities more resilient.

The impacts of natural disasters associated with climate change leave thousands displaced and are often the root cause of humanitarian crises throughout South and Southeast Asia. In response to the region's changing climate and accompanying natural disasters, international development partners are working together to make communities in urban and rural areas more resilient. Of the world's ten most populous cities, seven are located in South and Southeast Asia. By 2030, these seven Asian cities are expected to double their population from 1.36 to 2.64 billion (source: UNFPA). With this fact in mind, it is vital to understand how to adapt to climate changes, and how to be better prepared for natural disasters, including a rising sea level.

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), based in Bangkok, Thailand, will host Mr. Egeland's lecture, followed by a panel discussion with scholars and professionals from around the region. The panel discussion will be attended by leading officials, scholars and professionals in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management.

Media representatives are encouraged to participate, to raise questions pertinent to this critical issue.

The lecture is held in memorial of ADPC'S founding father and humanitarian, Brian Ward (1932-2004). Brian Ward is well-known for his contributions to disaster risk management in South and Southeast Asia.

Schedule of Events:

15:00: Guest Lecture by Mr. Jan Egeland

16:00: Panel Discussion on Challenges of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific Region (participants to be announced)

17:30: Reception for all participants

For more information contact:

Information Technology and Communication Unit
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
SM Tower, 24th Floor, 979/69 Paholyothin Road, Samsen Nai
Payathai, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 22980681
Email: bill@adpc.net or tiffany@adpc.net

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