United Nations international UN-SPIDER workshop: building capacities to reduce disasters

As part of its 2009 outreach activities the UN-SPIDER programme is organising the 'United Nations International UN-SPIDER Workshop: Building Capacities to Reduce Disasters' with the following objectives:

- To present the most recent advances in space-based technologies for disaster management and emergency response, with the goal of enhancing the typical Disaster-Risk Reduction Framework with solutions based on the use of space-based information.

- To provide continuity to activities being conducted by UN-SPIDER in Small Island Developing States, building upon the recommendations and conclusions put forward at the regional workshops organised in 2008 for the Caribbean (Barbados) and for the Pacific Region (Fiji), including consideration on the increase in vulnerability due to climate change.

- To review and finalise the proposed Capacity-Building Strategy which will include the following elements: (a) the development of a database of training opportunities; (b) the development of an e-learning strategy, (c) development of a curricula for the use of space-based solutions for disaster management and emergency response, and; (d) the definition of the role of the UN-affiliated Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education, and other national and regional Centres of Excellence.