"For a resilient nation, all members of the community need to understand their role in minimising the impacts of disaster, and hence the relevant knowledge skills and abilities to take appropriate action"
National Strategy for Disaster Resilience
This forum brings together educators, emergency services, community and youth organisations, researchers and others seeking to collaborate with young people in the development of knowledge, skills and solutions for a resilient future. DRANZSEN supports the education of young people as active participants in disaster resilient communities.
The program will include presentations from the Jack Brockhoff Child Health & Wellbeing Program; WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions; Strathewen Primary School and the Australian Red Cross. Highlights include:
- supporting young people and schools in recovery communities
- ecological learning for disaster resilience
- bushfire education in Strathewen
- connecting and coping in a crisis: protective actions for young Australians.
Participants will also hear education updates from the SA Country Fire Service, WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services and the Tasmanian Fire Service. In addition, there will be an opportunity to evaluate and contribute to the 2018 AIDR education strategy document, outlining our vision and recommendations for effective and sustainable disaster resilience education in Australian schools.
The forum will run as part of the Professional Development Program at AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ.
Who should attend?
- DRANZSEN members and supporters from Australia and New Zealand.
- Emergency service representatives involved in community education who want to learn more about engagement with young people and schools.
- School leadership staff interested in inquiry and problem-based learning for action in the community.
- Representatives from the Department of Education, Catholic Education, and the Independent Schools sector interested in student health, safety, wellbeing and resilience.
- Subject-specific teacher associations (especially geography and science), youth organisations and community groups seeking to collaborate with young people to reduce vulnerability and exposure to emergencies and disasters.
Disaster resilience education
Disaster resilience education (DRE) enables young people to build knowledge, skills and confidence to problem solve and take action before, during and after a disaster event. DRE supports the development of a culture of safety and preparedness that aims to protect communities and reduce vulnerability to the potentially devastating impact of a disaster.
AIDR Education for Young People Program
The Education for Young People Program supports the implementation of effective and sustainable disaster resilience education initiatives which empower and give a voice to young people throughout Australia.
The Disaster Resilient Australia-New Zealand School Education Network (DRANZSEN) seeks to:
- communicate a shared understanding of DRE connected to international frameworks and relevant to an Australian context
- build the capacity of teachers and other educators to deliver effective and sustainable DRE to young people, informed by contemporary research and aligned with the Australian Curriculum
- provide a forum for schools, emergency management agencies and community organisations in the network to share knowledge, good practice and strategic objectives related to DRE
- facilitate networking and collaboration between stakeholders in the design and delivery of new DRE initiatives.