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NaDiMa Dialogue #1: Natural Disaster Management: Lessons from Germany & Iran | 27th July 2020, 2-3:30 p.m. (CET)

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Natural Disasters are a significant burden on economic growth, especially for lower income countries. The weaker quality of institutions and state capacity are amplifying the economic and human costs of disasters in developing countries. For example, based on the World Bank, from 1998 to 2018, 91% of storm-related fatalities were in low- and middle-income countries, even though these countries experienced just 32% of storms.

A historical trend shows that since 1980, more than two million people and over $3 trillion have been lost to disasters caused by natural hazards. Total damages have increased from $23 billion a year in the 1980s to $150 billion a year in the last decade. Natural disasters have had significant and long-term impacts on poverty. Urbanization and population growth besides institutional deficits are increasing the disaster risks.

In our first online Dialogue, we want to focus natural disaster management in Germany and Iran. Especially Iran has a high-risk profile with respect to natural disasters. With its economic size and important geostrategic position in the Middle East and the Islamic world, it is of particular interest to focus on natural disaster management processes in Iran. By doing so, we aim to foster a constructive dialogue between German and Iranian scholars, practitioners and students with respect to socio-economic, cultural and psychological importance of functioning natural disaster management systems. In addition, we aim to examine the public understanding about natural disasters. 

Introduction: Mohammad Reza Farzanegan, Professor of Economics of the Middle East, Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Philipps-Universität Marburg

Moderator: Pooya Alaedini, Associate Professor of Social Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran

Panellist:

Alexander Fekete, Professor of Risk and Crisis Management, Institute of Rescue Engineering and Civil Protection, TH Köln

Farzin Fardanesh, Architect & Urban Planner, International Development Advisor

Alexander Fekete is Professor of Risk and Crisis Management at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences since December 2012. His present research focuses on studying the systemic interrelations of natural, technical and man-made hazards with social vulnerabilities and critical infrastructures. His previously worked from 2009-2012 as a Project Officer at the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance in the field of Critical Infrastructure Protection. Other working stations include the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security, the WHO, the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), and the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV). He has carried out fieldwork and workshops in Armenia, Iran, Japan, Sri Lanka and Switzerland.

Farzin Fardanesh started his professional practice with Housing Foundation in 1989, conducting applied research in rural and low-cost housing as well as post-disaster reconstruction. He was Acting Director of Natural Disasters Research and Studies Centre (2000), Advisor to the National Habitat Committee, and Project Director of the World Bank Urban Upgrading and Housing Reform Project in 2004. He has also worked as a UNESCO senior consultant.

The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. 

Time and Place: 27 July 2020, 2 - 3:30 p.m. (CET), online

How to join: The online Dialogue is free, but you must register to attend. You can register here

Registrations are limited, so register soon. We will send you an email prior to the start of the course with instructions on how to access the online Dialogue. The platform for this Dialogue is Adobe connect which can be accessed via browser or desktop app.