In recent years, natural or man-made risks for population, property and environment have become increasingly complex given factors such as demographics, urbanisation, industrial activity, climate change and the more recent menace of terrorist attacks on a global scale.
Local and Regional Authorities, thanks to their proximity to citizens and their knowledge of local terrain, are often in a best position to provide emergency planning and response. As underlined1 by the Committee of Regions (CoR), “local and regional governments constitute an important structural and organisational model framework for modern and effective civil protection in Europe”. Moreover, resource pooling, interregional coordination and mutual assistance within the EU and beyond for more efficient management of emergencies is required. This is reflected, for example, in the implementation of the EU Civil Protection Action Programme2 and the Civil Protection Financial Instrument.
At the same time, a range of innovative technological solutions and tools for dealing with these risks have become available, which, used in an integrated manner can help Regions improve their prevention and response action plans. Indeed, they can help to correctly identify and assess vulnerabilities, to efficiently mobilise resources and coordinate operations in case of emergencies. Quite often, the considerable impact of such disasters implies a need for substantial efforts in rebuilding essential infrastructure within the affected communities. Such solutions can also be used in the emergency aftercare and recovery process. Among them, satellite based information and services provide particularly efficient tools for regions.
The aim of this workshop is to provide a forum for regions to exchange know-how, best-practices, and lessons learned in integrating and using satellite information and services in their management systems for the mitigation, preparation and response to emergencies (floods, fires, earthquakes, landslides, oil spills, public health issues, industrial accidents, etc.). This will not only be an opportunity to disseminate information on strategies that work, but also one for local and regional authorities to identify how their respective capacities for emergency planning and response are complementary, to increase co-operation, and lay grounds for future interregional projects.
In addition to structural issues, non-structural ones (national and EU policies, financial and cooperation mechanisms, insurance issues, etc.), will be discussed in the presence of stakeholders, EU and national decision-makers as well as participants from the private sector.
Practical Details
-Target Audience: Local and Regional Authorities involved in emergency and risk management, experts, policy-makers, representatives of the private sector, institutions interested in regional policy.
-Format: End-user presentations by representatives of local and regional authorities, Round Tables
-Venue: Sinaia, Romania
-Working language: English
-Registration: Registration is already open. See separate Registration Form which is also available on Eurisy Website.
For further information, please contact Eurisy
94 bis Avenue de Suffren– 75015 Paris, France
Tel. + 33 (0) 1 47 34 00 79 – fax : + 33 (0) 1 47 34 01 59
romania2008@eurisy.org