OECD Policy Handbook: Natural Hazard Awareness and Disaster Risk Reduction Education

1. OECD Policy Handbook Natural Hazard Awareness and Disaster Risk Reduction Education Prof. Alberto Monti Bocconi University and OECD Bangkok, Thailand 24-25 September 2009 2nd Conference of the OECD International Network on Financial Management on Large-Scale Catastrophes

2. Background • Risk awareness identified as a priority • High-level Advisory Board to the International Network • OECD Insurance and Private Pensions Committee • Stocktaking of country initiatives • Selected OECD countries • China and India • Policy handbook • Clear, concise, policy-oriented tool • Guidance to policymakers (OECD and non-members) • Focus on natural hazards

3. Structure • Preamble • Principles • Broad Strategy • Good Practices

4. I. Preamble • Human-induced factors affect vulnerability and exposure • Public awareness of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction education are key • Foundation for sound financial management strategies • Need to shift from heavy emphasis on emergency response/citizen-preparedness to risk reduction • Hazard awareness and disaster risk reduction education required at every level of society • Promoting a culture of safety • Building disaster resiliency

5. II. Principles • Key principles to inform risk awareness and risk reduction education strategies, including: • Risk-based prioritisation • Disaster risk transfer and financing mechanisms can enhance awareness and education • Risk communication techniques and actionable language • Messages regarding allocation of costs and disaster prevention responsibilities as a tool • Long-term and sustained strategy

6. III. Broad strategy • Three-step approach for effective risk awareness and education strategies: • In-depth scientific assessment of natural hazards and disaster risks • Identification of desired behaviour and perception changes • Identification of respective roles of stakeholders, and appropriate tools and methods to educate stakeholders and induce action

7. IV. Good practices • Government initiatives • Leadership and coordination • Assessment of risk awareness needs and identification of strategic priorities • Hazard mapping and risk assessment • Public awareness campaigns and events • National-level guidelines on public message content • Informational websites • Mass distribution of material • Museums, parks • Simulations and drills

8. IV. Good practices • Educational system • Incorporation of risk awareness and risk reduction strategies into school curricula – educating the young is key • Multi-decade effort needed • Integration with community-based programmes • Private sector • Insurance sector • Education, data collection, risk mapping and modelling • Engineering, construction trade associations • Corporate sector (e.g., business continuity planning)

9. IV. Good practices • Civic sector • Grassroots initiatives • International efforts • Reinforce international efforts (e.g., UN ISDR, UNESCO) • Improve global hazard mapping / risk modelling (e.g., GEM) • General strategies • Cross-sectoral collaboration (e.g., task forces, networks) • Outreach programmes to opinion-leaders • Community participation • Scaling up and sharing

10. IV. Good practices • Effective communication and education tools • Clear and consistent messages • Non-technical language • Disaster risks placed in proper perspective • Promotion of awareness and action • Engaging format • Positive, empowering, and accurate examples • Targeting of multiple audiences • Multiple dissemination strategies

11. ContactProf. Alberto MontiBocconi UniversityDepartment of Law «Angelo Sraffa»1, via Roentgen20136 - Milano (ITALY)E-mail: alberto.monti@unibocconi.itwww.unibocconi.eu www.oecd.org/daf/fin/catrisks