Sendai through a different lens

In 2008 I shifted careers from local government administration to a community development focus, and accidentally ending up at the NSW Rural Fire Service, in the Community Engagement Unit. In completing post-graduate studies in emergency management I became more aware of the huge impact of disasters across the Asia region. I saw significant progress being made in disaster risk reduction through coordinated government and not-for-profit action, particularly in the context of the Hyogo Framework for Action.

So with the HFA coming to an end, and the prospect of being able to joining in a range of public events, the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai has been a target for a while.

With financial means, time, and a supportive partner, going to Sendai was driven by two purposes. 

First, to be seen to support 'civil society' disaster risk reduction programs and activities. There are thousands of good people doing amazing things to reduce the impacts of disasters in their countries. Hundreds of volunteers supporting NFP's across the world. Having conversations with the volunteers and staff primarily in NFP's doing important work. Attending small events, asking questions, being genuinely interested in work being done.

Any my contribution to their efforts? Being in the room with them, saying hello, expressing support.

Secondly, to learn. It is pretty clear to me that there are huge lessons to be learned and applied in Australia from the experiences of disaster-prone countries in Asia. To do this requires a further reframing: that developing countries may have more effective disaster risk reduction programs than us!

My frame for the WCDRR was a bit different. Attending as a citizen, rather than as an official country or organisation delegate did mean that I did not have access to attend any of the formal sessions. But this suited me fine, giving me freedom to attend events, presentations and activities of personal and professional interest.

With over 400 sessions to choose from across what were really six or so concurrent sessions, the choices did my head in. Too many interesting events and sessions on, and often at the same time. So I generally stuck to sessions associated with the Civil Society Thematic Pavilion, took in a couple of documentaries, explored the demonstration site, and trekked up to Rikuzentakata. 

What I take away most strongly from being in Sendai is the value and importance of story telling in both reflecting on and remembering events from those who were affected, and how those stories can be the basis of learning particularly for children and young people.

So what do I think about most, weeks after Sendai? Being moved to tears by raw, personal stories was a highlight - for example "The Kamaishi Miracle". Or reflecting on the loss of over 300 volunteer firefighters in the tsunami following the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake - men and women serving their communities, not to return to their families. Or maybe it is being at the viewing of the Left Behind: Persons with Disabilities 3.11 documentary, a harrowing yet important account of people with disability dealing with the tsunami.

Privileged as I may be to have attended as a citizen, I am proud that I did.

Over time I will be posting stories about each of these sessions on by Awareness to Action blog at https://bushfireresilience.wordpress.com

  *   The Miracle of Kamaishi

  *   Tsunami Disaster: Heartbreak and Hope through the viewfinder (documentary)

  *   Rikuzentakata: Resilience for Tomorrow. An Inclusion Action Plan

  *   Sendai Water Works Bureau demonstration

  *   Talking about disaster risk reduction

  *   Civil Society Conference introduction

  *   Left Behind: Persons with Disabilities 3.11 (documentary)

  *   Role of Volunteer Fire Corps

  *   DRR for Civil Society