Special Topic Group on Young Professionals in DRR and Climate Change

INTRODUCTION

The Special Topic Group (STG) on Young Professionals in DRR and Climate Change is coordinated by Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad of the International Centre of Excellence Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (ICoE-SEADPRI-UKM). The STG encompasses existing networks and regional initiatives devoted to disseminating knowledge and building capacity through research and education on DRR and climate change. Activities implemented by STG include workshops and training, joint research, exchange of research findings, among others. The STG incubated and  launched U-INSPIRE Malaysia @ UKM, the platform that aims to mobilise youth and young professionals in the country on disaster risk reduction and climate change, which now links to a significant network of active youth groups in the region. With mutual aims to advance science and technology, the STG and U-INSPIRE Malaysia @ UKM will move together to support local level implementation of the Sendai Framework on DRR.

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Lead Coordinator: Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, ICoE-SEADPRI-UKM

Members include:

NETWORKS AND REGIONAL INITIATIVES

 

Prospect Networks and Regional Initiatives:

WORKSHOPS, TRAINING AND MEETINGS

Upcoming Events:

Selected Past Events:

2023

  • Strengthening Youth Capacity in Just Transition, 17 September 2023, Kuala Lumpur
    • The ANCST STG Group play a key roled in hosting the workshop to foster collaboration and empowering youth-focused NGOs to address climate change issues, with a special emphasis on the concept of just transition, which has been a cornerstone since the 1980s. Just transition entails the collective effort of all segments of society—communities, workers, and social groups—working together toward a common goal in a fair and inclusive manner.
  • Workshop & Training on Youth and Young Professionals in Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) for Disaster and Climate Resilience (DCR), 4-8 December 2023, Jakarta, Indonesia [report in-preparation]
    • The ANCST STG Group Leader was represented by U-INSPIRE Malaysia member to the workshop. This workshop was co-organized by UNESCO Office Jakarta, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and U-INSPIRE Alliance with theme of ‘‘Empowering the Powerful Overturn Inequality by Building Resiliency. This workshop aims to create an energetic platform where YYPs can acquire knowledge, network, spot chances for collaboration, all while fostering the growth and sustainability of the YYPs network.

2022

  • Workshop on Youth and Young Professionals in SETI for Disaster Risk Reduction “Road to GPDRR 2022”, 10 March 2022, China (online)
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, participated the session as a panel speaker for Malaysia. The webinar was convened not only as a preparatory step for the upcoming Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2022 but also to provide insight into the involvement of Youth and Young Professionals (YYPs) in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts across Asia and the Pacific. This webinar was structured into five distinct sessions: Opening Session, Session 1: Keynote Presentation, Session 2: Youth and Young Children Engagement in DRR and Climate Change, Session 3: Engaging Young Scientists and Early Career Researchers on DRR and Climate Change Innovation, and Closing Session.
  • OpenStreetMap Training of Trainers, 29-30 March 2022, Kuala Lumpur
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, led the session in collaboration with U-INSPIRE Indonesia, Perkumpulan OpenStreetMap Indonesia, and Universitas Indonesia, this training involved 55 participants, including early-career scientists, young professionals, undergraduates, and postgraduates from diverse universities in Malaysia. The objective of the training was to enhance youth capacity in cultivating local knowledge for the development of an open-access database. This exercise aimed to foster a community of mappers capable of contributing to and maintaining data on road networks and physical infrastructures to assess various aspects of disasters within a selected area.
  • Geoscience Communication for DRR: Sharing of Best Practices, 17 October 2022, Langkawi Island, Kedah
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, participated the session as a session moderator. The event was conducted in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada and various partners, coinciding with the 17th GEOSEA Regional Congress 2022 alongside the 34th National Geoscience Conference (NGC) on Langkawi Island, Malaysia, spanning from October 17th to 21st, 2022. Dr. Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, a representative from U-INSPIRE Alliance, along with several members of U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM, including Mr. Navakanesh and Dr. Rabiehtul, were invited to present during the Technical Session 1 on Environmental Geology and Climate Change on October 18th, 2022. Additionally, Ms. Faten Hanani presented during the poster session held on October 20th, 2022.

2021

  • The Great Climate Reset Dialogue: Empowering Youths for Climate change, 21 February 2021
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, participated the session as a session moderator. The Climate Reset Dialogue marks the inception of an intergenerational laboratory designed to bridge the gap between young individuals and the resources necessary to catalyze a Great Reset. Its primary aim is to foster a sophisticated form of youth activism centered on self-awareness, systems leadership, and intergenerational collaboration.
  • Virtual Earth Day Celebration, 22 April 2021, Kuala Lumpur
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, led the session that featured panels comprised of young professionals from Malaysia. The primary objective of the webinar was to offer an overview of environmental management practices aimed at preserving the Earth’s delicate balance. Panelists shared insights into successful environmental management initiatives, including those focusing on river and mangrove ecosystems. These discussions highlighted strategies that have effectively mitigated the impacts of climate change while optimizing funding resources from both the public and private sectors, both domestically and internationally.

2020

  • Climate Change for the Youth and Young Professionals, June – September, 2020, Kuala Lumpur
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad, led the session for youths and young professionals to promote continued and equal advancement of science in addition to the empowerment of the voices of young people and their ongoing commitment, a training series was held for Youth and Young Professionals (YYPs) in Asia and the Pacific region to strengthen their understanding of and equip them with knowledge related to climate change.
  • Youth Social Entrepreneurship for Building Community Resilience, 13 August 2020
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad involved in the session as a session moderator for the webinar. The webinar has shed light on the significant contributions of youth social entrepreneurship in addressing challenges within the Tropics, particularly in advancing science, engineering, technology, and innovation. It stands not only as an inspirational event but also as a call to action, urging youth to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys and actively participate in fostering community resilience against disasters and climate change.
  • U-INSPIRE Malaysia Coffee Table Talk Series on Malaysian Youth Perspectives on Earthquakes and Landslide in Malaysia, 24 October 2020
    • The ANCST STG Leader Dr. Nurfashareena Muhamad co-host the webinar with UNICEF Malaysia and Mineral and Geoscience Department of Malaysia (JMG). This session showcased the expertise of two young geologists: Mr. Navakanesh Batmanathan, a research analyst and a distinguished member of the National Geographic Young Explorers, alongside Mr. Mohd Farid Abd Kadir, a geologist representing JMG Perak. Both individuals are active participants within U-INSPIRE Malaysia, demonstrating their commitment to advancing geological knowledge and fostering innovation within their field.
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