Risk reduction and preparedness: intensive course

Lund

This is an optional advanced course in the Master of disaster management programme.

In order to substantially reduce disaster losses, activities need to be implemented that reduce risks and generate an effective preparedness for disasters. These activities must be based on the results of risk assessments and be firmly grounded in their specific contexts.

To meet this challenge Lund University and the University of Copenhagen are offering a joint intensive course focusing on what can be done to reduce risks, both in general terms and in relation to specific hazards. Since there will always be disasters, no matter how much effort is put into reducing risks, the course also focuses on preparedness planning, early warning systems, public awareness campaigns and other preparedness activities.

On completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective risk reduction and preparedness activities. This includes identifying, analysing, prioritising, planning, implementing and evaluating activities that reduce risk, as well as planning, preparing and evaluating a preparedness strategy to match the needs arising from anticipated future disasters.

Objectives:

The aim of the course is to:

- prepare the students so that they are able to work to reduce risk and to develop an effective preparedness for disasters.
- provide a foundation for students interested in research to be used as a base for their research on risk reduction and preparedness issues.

At the end of the course students must:

- be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective risk reduction activities.
- be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective disaster preparedness.

For a passing grade the student must:

- be able to identify, analyse, prioritise, plan and evaluate activities that reduce risk, either by reducing the probability for disasters (prevention) or by reducing their possible consequences beforehand (mitigation).
- be able to plan and evaluate an effective preparedness to manage needs that arise from and the consequences of future disasters, both as Response and Recovery.

Content:

The course is focused on providing insight into various measures available for risk reduction and approaches to assessing and evaluating their effectiveness. Attention is given to principles of disaster preparedness and challenges related to such activities. A central part of the course is the case which involves analysing and evaluating various risk reduction and preparedness measures in a city in Tajikistan (or other suitable city). The students will work with the case throughout the course.

Prerequisites:

It is recommended that the applicants live up to the Master of Disaster Management admission criteria.

Class size:

The number of participants is limited to 40. The course may be cancelled if there are less than 12 participants.

English

The university currently do not offer any scholarships, but on its site about funding possibilities you can find some information that might be useful.

Fee I (reduced fee - EU/EEA, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, DIS, Fulbright):
DKK 16,500 / EUR 2,237

Fee II (normal fee - all other students):
DKK 22,213 / EUR 3,006

Fees in Euro include a 16 EUR exchange fee.
All fees are subject to regulation.

2009-11-01