Advancing%20Knowledge%20for%20Human%20Security%20and%20Development

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Advancing Knowledge for Human Security and
Development United Nations UniversityInstitute
for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
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The United Nations University a Global
Organization

• The United Nations University (UNU) was
  established by the UN General Assembly in 1973.
• UNU serves as an international community of
  scholars
• Forms a bridge between the UN and the academic
  world
• Is a think tank for the UN system
• Contributes to capacity development, particularly
  in developing countries
• Provides a platform for dialogue and ideas
• UNUs new Institute for Environment and Human
  Security is one of 15 research and training
  centres and programmes worldwide.
• UNUs work is structured in two broad programme
  areas Peace and Governance and Environment and
  Sustainable Development.

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The Rationale

• The growing frequency and magnitude globally of
  extreme environmental events.
• The level of risk they pose.
• The vulnerability of societies.

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The Establishment

• UNU-EHS is created to assess the vulnerability
  and coping capacity of societies facing natural
  and human-induced hazards in a changing
  environment.
• The Institute will support policy and decision
  makers.
• UNU-EHS is supported by the German Federal
  Ministry of Education and Research and the
  Ministry of Science and Research of the State of
  North Rhine-Westphalia.

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The Strategic Directions of UNU-EHS

• UNU-EHS will explore threats to human security
• From environmental degradation
• Unsustainable land use practices, and
• From natural and man-made hazards.
• The Institute will spearhead UNUs research and
  capacity building activities in the broad
  interdisciplinary field of risk and
  vulnerability.

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Thematic thrusts

• Foster better understanding of forces and
  processes of environmental degradations and their
  influence on hazard magnitude and frequency and
  subsequent disasters.
• Explore links between different hazard events as
  well as creeping processes such as climate
  change, soil erosion and their impact on the
  inherent risk and vulnerability.
• Contribute to development, testing and
  verification of vulnerability indicators, and
  investigate relationships between risks,
  vulnerability and coping capacity.

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Activity profile

• Generate knowledge.
• Build capacity, with focus on young professionals
  and institutions in developing countries.
• Disseminate knowledge to decision makers.

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Focus and Priorities in the First Biennium
2004-2005

• The Institutes research and training activities
  in its initial 2004-2005 biennium will focus on
  flood plains and deltas, with emphasis on urban
  centres.
• Drought and its impact on rural communities are
  envisaged as an added priority from 2006.

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A Paradigm Shift?

• Ensuring human security requires a paradigm shift
  in the concept of disaster prevention and
  preparedness. Instead of starting with a focus on
  natural hazards and their quantification, the
  assessment and ranking of the vulnerability of
  affected groups should serve as the starting
  point in defining priorities and means of
  remedial interventions.

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Cooperation through Networking the Initiation of
Partnerships
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DKKV UNU-EHS a Comparative Overview

• university
• Human security vs. environmental changes /
  disasters of natural and man-made origin
• Paradigm shift
• (Initial) focus food plains / deltas / urban
  areas
• Spearhead within UNUthe cross-cutting
  themerisks and vulnerabilities

• national platform
• National / International
• All hazards/risks/vulnerabilities
• Whole cycle of disaster management
• ISDR links

D K K V
UNU- EHS

• (Policy relevant) research
• PhD
• Education
• Training
• Awareness Raising

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Opportunities of Cooperation

• Transfer German contributions/expertise towards
  UN/developing countries.
• ISDR
• Thematic cooperation(s) like UNU-EHS - GFMC
• Education PhD supervision development of course
  modules
• Joint research with DKKV members.
• Training (joint courses), individual
  participation(s)
• Steady dialogue UNU-EHS - DKKV

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For further information please contact

• United Nations University
• Institute for Environment and Human Security
• (UNU-EHS)
• Goerresstr. 15
• D-53113 Bonn, Germany
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• E-Mail info_at_ehs.unu.edu