Strategic mobilisation of higher education institutions in disaster risk reduction capacity building: experience of Periperi U

This paper examines the contribution of purposive, collective higher education engagement in advancing disaster risk reduction education regionally from the perspective of the Periperi U consortium in Africa. It is underpinned by the assumption that disaster risk reduction is an integral element of sustainable development and that higher education institutions (HEIs) play central roles in advancing knowledge and human capital developmentally.

The paper begins by revisiting the roles of higher education in development, and the resulting trends in HEI engagement with the disaster risk domain. It reflects on the process and achievements of the Periperi U consortium, as well as those of a similar partnership, the Asian University Network for Environment and Disaster Management. The paper continues by reflecting on the HFA and concludes by opening a conversation on indicators.

This document is an input paper of the 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.