National Research Agenda Seminar

The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is hosting a pivotal National Research Agenda Seminar in Centurion, Pretoria, from 3 to 4 September 2024. The seminar, which brings together multiple stakeholders, including government entities, academic institutions, research organisations, and non-governmental organisations, aims to chart a comprehensive research agenda to drive disaster risk management research in South Africa until 2030.

Representatives from leading research institutions and universities, including the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the University of the Free State (UFS), North-West University (NWU), Stellenbosch University, Durban University of Technology (DUT), the University of Venda (UNIVEN), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and Nelson Mandela University (NMU), are actively participating in the seminar. Their contributions are integral to the discussions, providing valuable insights into the current state of disaster risk management research and identifying critical areas for future focus.

The seminar, spanning two days, enables conversations on key thematic topics, guided by South Africa's risk profile, with a special emphasis on improving the disaster risk management structure. The focus is on incorporating disaster risk management into higher education programs, advocating for disaster risk management in schools, and pinpointing research areas to enhance disaster risk reduction policies and practices.

The first day of the seminar includes presentations by the NDMC on advancements in creating the research agenda, inputs from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) on building climate-resilient communities, and reviews of ongoing research by different provincial disaster management centres.

Day two focuses on how research from universities contributes to disaster risk reduction and integrating business continuity into mainstream efforts. The seminar is set to end with a clear and unified National Disaster Risk Management Research Agenda, which will support policy planning and decision-making as well as ensure research efforts are in line with national priorities listed in the agenda.

The NDMC expects that the results of this seminar will greatly improve disaster risk management abilities in South Africa, ultimately leading to a safer, more resilient society. The seminar continues to serve as a crucial platform for exchanging knowledge, identifying research priorities, and fostering partnerships that will shape the future of disaster risk management in South Africa.

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