1. African Regional Implementation Workshop on Hazards and Disasters Dakar, Senegal 26-27 September 2012 Arturo J. Martínez Member of the Scientific Committee, ICSU-ROLAC

2. Disaster Risk Management in Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC-ICSU- IRDR) Towards an Integrated Project Plan for the Region

3. Background ICSU ROLAC consultation in 2009 identified Natural Hazards and Disasters as a priority area With a strong multidisciplinary approach integrating social and natural sciences in LAC. A document has been submitted to the scientific community for influencing the development of scientific research in this area.

4. Authors Omar Darío Cardona (Colombia) Juan Carlos Bertoni (Argentina) Tony Gibbs (Barbados) Michael Hermelin (Colombia) Allan Lavell (Costa Rica) ICSU ROLAC SCIENCE PLAN Understanding & Managing Risk Associated with Natural Hazards: A Comprehensive Scientific Approach for LAC Available in English and Spanish

6. Objectives 1. Promote interdisciplinary research on risk and disaster 2. Promote a research bringing together studies, discussions and practices on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction 3. Develop and promote methodologies for the integration of social and natural sciences into interdisciplinary research protocols. 4. Promote better interactions and understanding between the scientific and governmental policymaking communities

7. Objectives (cont.) 5. Promote better interactions and understanding between scientific community and its beneficiaries, civil and private sectors 6. Support and promote research and capacity building efforts, stimulating the creation of relevant institutional frameworks to achieve it. 7. Promote the creation of a post impact multidisciplinary analysis board with research capability.

8. Research subjects & methodology 1. Identify natural hazard processes and patterns; 2. Understand factors and processes that contribute to social construction of risks and ways in which risk is socially, territorially, and temporally distributed; 3. Identify ways to evaluate, measure, or gauge risks objectively, and the way risks are socially analyzed; 4. Understand decision making processes and real enactment or rejection of risk reduction and control, disaster preparedness, response and recovery actions.

9. How ICSU ROLAC is building the regional plan?  First step: National consultation to identify gaps, priorities and challenges for building both a multidisciplinary and trans disciplinary approach.  Second step: Based on the identification of the main issues identified by the national consultation the agenda of the regional workshop was organized.

10. Thank you! International Council for Science (ICSU) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) www.icsu.org/latin-america-caribbean.org secretariat@icsu-latin-america-caribbean.org http://www.icsu.org/latin-america-caribbean/publications/reports-and- reviews/natural-hazards/disasters_english.pdf