UNESCO Advocates for Culture at Disaster Risks Reduction Conference

UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (IRCI) organized the session "Enhancing the Role of Culture in Disaster Risk Reduction" at the IRDR 2024 International Conference and 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum Thematic session VI. The session explored the critical role of culture in disaster risks reduction (DRR) and strategies for integrating cultural aspects into DRR policies and practices.

During this 90-minute session, seven experts coming from both culture and DRR fields discussed the dual role of cultural heritage in disasters, examining its vulnerabilities in social and economic terms, as well as its potential as a source of strength for community recovery and reconstruction. They also emphasized the significance of digital technologies and museums can play an important role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery processes. The session underscored the interplay between culture and DRR, advocating for the inclusion of cultural considerations in policy development at local, regional, and national levels, and fostering collaboration among different stakeholders.

Participants recognized that the session provided fresh insights into DRR, as culture is often overlooked during disasters. The speakers and participants called for the development of more inclusive disaster management strategies that consider the roles and risks of culture. They also stressed the need for enhanced cross-sector collaboration to ensure that the communities can not only withstand disasters but also emerge from them stronger and more resilient.