This document discusses global governance approaches to disaster risk reduction. It argues that a global governance framework is promising for coordinating disaster risk reduction efforts given increased interdependence between countries from globalization. A nascent global governance system for disaster risk reduction has emerged through coordination between diverse actors like the UN, NGOs, and national governments. The Hyogo Framework has helped establish common principles but further work is still needed in areas like research, education, implementation practices, and policy development to strengthen global cooperation on disaster risk reduction.

1. Global Governance: A promising
scenario for disaster risk reduction
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Veronica De Majo, Örebro University/Dalarna
University, Sweden

2. Earthquake, Port-au-Prince
Haiti 2010
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Tsunami, Phuket Island
Thailand 2004
Picture: Deddeda Stemler
Tsunami, Natori
Japan 2011
Picture: Noah K. Murray/Picture: Newscom/Kyodo/WENN.com The Star Ledger/Corbis
Hurricane Sandy, Long Beach Island
USA 2012
Picture: EPA / RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL

3. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Background
• No community is “immune” to natural disasters; (many)
risks are difficult to avoid or even prevent.
• Communities have different hazard profiles, social,
cultural and economic characteristics… And risk and
emergency management systems.
The impact of hazards is different.
• Natural disasters have become transnational
(globalization; interdependence).

4. Disasters are sudden events which overwhelm local capacity
and lead to a serious disruption of its functioning, causing
human and material losses, necessitating a request to a
national or international level for external assistance.
Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing
disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and
manage the causal factors of disasters (reduced exposure to
hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise
management of land and the environment, and improved
preparedness) (UNISDR 2009).
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org

5. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
The diversity of actors are engaged in disaster
management are central:
 National governments, agencies, local communities;
 Regional organizations (e.g. EU, ASEAN);
 The United Nations through for example, the International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction (UNISDR);
Multilateral and bilateral development institutions: the Disaster Management
Facility (DMF), World Bank; Inter-American Development Bank (IADB);
NGOs: local, regional, global;
Scientific communities;
Media;
Private sector, business corporations; and
Individuals.

6. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Theoretical approach
Global governance is the complex of formal and informal
institutions, mechanisms, relationships, and processes
between and among states, markets, citizens, and
organizations—both intergovernmental and
nongovernmental—through which collective interests are
articulated, rights and obligations are established, and
differences are mediated (Thakur & Van Lagenhove 2006).

7. • Absence of hierarchy and government in the
international system.
• Globalization, interconnectedness, interdependence.
• Changes in the way societies are governed
(government vs. governance) which leads to the
emergency of a diversity of new actors and
decentralization of power.
• The “internationalization of problems”/potential
solutions.
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org

8. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Global governance encompasses:
• Rules”, “control”, and “steering” (Rosenau 1995).
• Systems of rule, levels of human activity, the pursuit of
goals, and transnational repercussions (Dingwerth and
Pattberg 2009).
• The sum of diverse governance processes—formal and
informal mechanisms to accomplish some grades of order—
within an international system (Weiss and Kamran 2009).
• A qualitative change as the result of the demand of ‘political
globalization’ in order to deal with global problems (Kacowicz
2012).

9. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Sponsorship
of states
Sponsorship
of non-state
actors
Figure 1: Steering mechanism/actors, and arenas.
Jointly
establi-shed
Intergovernmental
Transgovernmental
Transnational
Supranational

10. A nascent global governance system in DRR
• Significant achievements as the result of coordinated
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
activities and interaction of actors.
• HFA, a normative and non-binding document, contains
the core principles of integrative risk management.
• Networks/partnerships; national, regional and global
platforms (UNISDR).
• Instruments and institutions; a common language.
• Proactive and (integrative) multi-stakeholder approach.
HFA2 can improve this system.

11. Added value for the Post 2015 Framework for
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Disaster Risk Reduction
• How did your work support the implementation of the Hyogo
Framework for Action:
– Gain a better understanding of global networks in DRR.
– Gain a better understanding of this complex global system.
Enhance the benefits and diminish its constraints.
• From your perspective what are the main gaps, needs and further
steps to be addressed in the Post 2015 Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction in
– Research: Develop scientific knowledge on disasters (multidisciplinary).
– Education & Training: Increase people awareness; improve the use of ICT.
– Implementation & Practice: Clarification of responsibilities;
empowerment of individuals.
– Policy: (Re)frame disaster reduction in order to “govern” risks.