1. 1
Observations from a Sendai Conference participant:
new disaster risk reduction global partnerships
May, 2015 -
helping to build the capacity to
transform our greatest global challenges
into opportunities
William Tarpai
Vice President, International Relations Council of Riverside;
Board of Directors, Southern California Sister Cities International
Wednesday, April 8, 15

2. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction (2015-2030)
! In the decade prior to the Sendai Conference, the Hyogo
Framework for Action (2005-2015) prioritized building
resilience of nations and communities to disasters.
! Led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNISDR) and the Japanese Government,
there was global engagement, identifying and working to
overcome the bottlenecks to preparedness that
affected the entire planet.
! Lessons learned, gaps identified and future challenges were
presented at the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction in Sendai, Japan in March 2015.
Wednesday, April 8, 15

3. • Towards ensuring disaster risk reduction:
recommended actions agreed upon at the UN
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
Improving analysis and understanding
• Donor and agencies must invest more in analysis, impact assessment and lessons learned
• Response analysis must be improved, building capacities in both production and use of better informed analysis of
options for assistance
• Information systems should be strengthened and expanded
• Improving support to livelihoods
• Governments, donors and agencies should better link responses that address both short- and longer-term needs
• Support for livelihoods must build on existing capacity and should strengthen positive livelihood adaptations
• Efforts should focus on helping to rebuild and/or promote local institutions that support livelihoods
• Reforming the "architecture" of assistance
• Planning should emphasize predictability for prevention, early action and long-term solutions
3
Wednesday, April 8, 15

4. Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Collaboration between
Sister Cities: New Partnerships
Promoting the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030)
Connect globally. Thrive Locally.
Presentation to the
Board of Directors
Wednesday, April 8, 15

5. What can Sister Cities
International do to promote
Disaster Risk Reduction?
Founded in 1956, Sister Cities
International is a nonprofit citizen
diplomacy network that creates and
strengthens partnerships between
U.S. and international communities.
Strives to build global cooperation at
the municipal level, promote cultural
understanding and stimulate
economic and human development.
New Project Vision -
Promote sister cities
engagement to build
awareness of the
critical importance
of disaster risk
reduction for
sustainable
development and
resilience
Wednesday, April 8, 15

6. 6
Partnerships Matter - It can be any
two communities - Currently over 500 U.S. cities, counties
and states are involved with Sister Cities International. Over 1,900 partnerships
with communities abroad. Partnerships in 146 countries on six continents.
The world is changing, and so is diplomacy and
development.
The challenges we face as a global community are
unprecedented.
These challenges are often too expansive and complex
to be met by any one government or organization.
Creating solutions requires innovation, ingenuity, and
collaboration across diverse sectors.
Wednesday, April 8, 15

7. 7
Partnering to Reduce Disaster Risks: Sister Cities
collaboration to build resiliencies
Globally integrated cities are intimately linked to economic and human
development. By creating an environment that spawns, attracts, and retains top
talent, businesses, ideas, and capital, a global city can generate benefits that
extend far beyond municipal boundaries, and address disaster risk potential.
• A sister city, county, or state relationship is an officially approved, long-term
partnership between two communities, counties or states in two countries.
• A sister city relationship is formally created by a memorandum of
understanding signed by the highest elected or appointed officials from each
community
Wednesday, April 8, 15

8. 8
Defining Partnership -
A collaborative working relationship with non-
governmental partners, our business community and
our schools in which the goals, structure, and
governance, as well as roles and responsibilities, are
mutually determined and decision-making is shared.
Partnerships are characterized by:
- Complimentary equities
- Openness and transparency
- Mutual benefit
- Shared risks and rewards
- Accountability
Wednesday, April 8, 15

9. Social Mobilization - How can Sister Cities Involvement in
Disaster Risk Reduction
• Help raise awareness within
your network of friends, family
and coworkers
• Assist with information sharing
and knowledge management
• Organize activities and events to
raise funds
The UNISDR and other
international organizations have
tools to help jump start activities
and be successful in your outreach
efforts to engage citizens.
Creative Elements to
promote and assist
Citizen Engagement
through networking:
• Posters
• Flier
• Print Invitation
• Tabletop Display
• Scripts
•Digital platform use
•Videos
• Widget & Web Banners
• Ecard & Outbound Emails
• Public Service Announcements
Wednesday, April 8, 15