The document discusses the challenges and responsibilities related to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in the context of global governance and public engagement. It highlights the need for collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the private sector while addressing the lack of public will and policy fragmentation, particularly in Australia. Strategies for improving DRR/CCA effectiveness include educating the public, engaging decision-makers, and fostering cooperation across different sectors.

1. DRR/CCA and Governments: Where
there’s a will, there’s a way...and
where there is not a will...
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
Dr Jason von Meding
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Coordinator, CIB W120 Disasters and the Built
Environment

2. 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 Context
• Virtual consensus in scientific fields
• DRR/CCA prominent in high level dialogue
• A public that is becoming more aware
• HFA/HFA2 and other frameworks and agreements
• Various government initiatives

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
Meanwhile...in Australia
• High level of politicisation, volatile debate
• Little public ‘will’ for short-term pain
• Policy fragmentation

4. 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
Where does responsibility lie?
• Who is responsible for DRR/CCA ultimately?
• Who will take the risk of implementation?
• Who will make the sacrifice?
Stephan Lechner: ‘a few people are getting extremely rich...and the
risk is borne by society.’
Ortwin Renn: we have a governance deficit where we 'optimise
efficiency in potential markets over resilience and equality.'

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
What can we do?
• Act at the ballot box
• Educate the public
• Identify and engage key decision-makers
• Be positively deviant, understand the system, think
divergently

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
How?
• Can we press non-compliant governments into action?
• Our research findings must make an impact
• How can we collaborate at global level and use gained
legitimacy to challenge entrenched beliefs and behaviours at
national level?

7. 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
REACT Network
Resilience Education Australia-China-Taipei (REACT) Network
A $135k collaboration between University of Newcastle, Beijing Normal
University (China) and Ming Chuan University (Chinese Taipei). Funding
awarded by Australia-China Council.

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
Ultimately...will, motive and trust
• We call for government, NGO, private sector cooperation in
DRR/CCA action...does motive and agenda matter?
• Do we simply accept inequality, self-interest and a struggle for
power as part of the human condition?
• For those who care deeply, how can we best inspire others to
care?

9. THANK YOU ALL FOR CARING
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
Jason.vonMeding@newcastle.edu.au
Twitter @vonmeding
Research Group blog http://danddresearch.blogspot.com/