FIRST PERIPERI U AFRICAN RISK METHODS SCHOOL OPENS
The 10th September represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Periperi U partnership as it launches the first of its summer-school styled training events in Dar es Salaam, dubbed affectionately as ARMS -The African Risk Method School.
ARMS was developed in recognition of the African Continent’s complex and rapidly transforming risk profile. This profile is shaped by interlinked and evolving political, economic and environmental conditions, including increasing climate variability and change; increased urbanisation; fast-growing regional and continental mobility; emerging economies and industries; and changing societal landscapes. As such new, inventive, and most crucially, locally crafted, development and risk management strategies are needed to reduce disaster risk and build more resilient societies and communities. To achieve this, support is needed to develop and enhance the capacity of emerging and established researchers within the expanding fields of disaster, risk and resilience.
- Investigating and assessing Africa’s urban risks, particular focussing on applying geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) methods to strengthen urban risk assessment and planning.
- The application of research methods and analytical tools to conduct research assessing vulnerability and risk in the health sector and health needs in the context of disasters.
- The development and enhancement of research methodologies and skills for emerging researchers, particularly postgraduate and doctorate students, with an interest related to disasters, humanitarian action, risk and resilience.
- A systematic way of identifying and prioritizing recovery needs following a disaster to enable effective disaster recovery actions.
Through the Periperi U consortium, teaching staff for the ARMS represent six African higher education institutions (HEIs) – Ardhi University, Bahir Dar University, the University of Buea, the University of Gaston Berger, Makerere University and Stellenbosch University. The teaching staff is further enriched by the contributions of practioners from The WHO and the UNDP. This unique collaboration of scientists and researchers from HEIs, and practitioners from international development agencies across the continent, offer participants an opportunity to learn and engage with a diverse teaching team with a wide range of academic and applied expertise in contemporary risk and resilience research in Africa. Evident in the enthusiastic response of students who represent eleven different countries!
The morning of the 10th, participants of ARMScourses were addressed by the Chancellor of the hosting institution Ardhi University as well as senior members of the Periperi partners on the significance of this initiative to foster an indterdisciplinary, collaborative and inclusive approach to tackling african risk issues. Those in attendance are encouraged touse the ARMS as a platform to not only learn and expand their skills but to engage and develop networks between themselves and fellow participants and staff to open potential for future opportunities for engagement and co-operation
ARMS would not have been possible without the incredible support and contributions of its partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the African Union/New Partnership for Africa’s Develpment’s Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (AU/NEPAD SANWATCE) and USAID through grant AID-OFDA-G-16-00115. Thank you to the staff of Ardhi University, Stellenbosch University’s Research Alliance for Disaster and Risk Reduction (RADAR) and Africa Doctoral Academy (ADA), as well as the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa and the UNDP Tanzania Country Office for their incredible efforts in logistical arrangements.
