Know4 drr poster_ws_bolzano_civil_society_hua

Flood, 2012, Umbria, Italy Tsunami, 2004, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Typhoon, 2006 2009, Central Vietnam Forest fires, 2007, Ilia, Greece

Xynthia storm surge, 2010, La Faute sur Mer, France

Hurricane Stan, 2005, Mexico

Kalamata earthquake, 1986, Greece Lorca earthquake, 2011, Spain

Sea level rise, Greece Climate change adaptation, Alpine Area

Flood, 2002, Salzach catchment, Austria Flood 2002, Elbe catchment, Germany

Civil society backs

but may also

challenge DDR and

CCA efforts

Professionals (engineers, architects,

geologists etc.) voluntarily contribute with

their expertise after a disaster

People’s agenda depends on the

conditions they live in and their pragmatic

or perceived needs, interests and gains.

These may not give priority to DRR & CCA.

Trust in, and

accountability of civil

society entities are

essential

Local knowledge can

supplement experts’

knowledge

INGOs should connect with people and work

with the government so as to provide some

allocation in a disaster - Their projects need

funding to be sustainable

M.Dandoulaki1, Th.Karymbalis2, Y. Melissourgos2, S.Skordili2, N.Valkanou2

The Civil Society

1 National School of Public Administration and Local Government, Greece (mdand@tee.gr)

2Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece (karymbalis@hua.gr, yormel@gmail.com, skordili@hua.gr, elnel@otenet.gr)

Sector’s entities

Findings from the case studies

Harokopio University of Athens

Civil society

Third sector

Public

sector

Private

sector

International NGOs

National NGOs

Academic Institutions

Churches

Community Based Organisations Professional Associations

Citizens Groups Citizens Associations

Social networks Volunteers Social media

The public (affected, observing, involved)

Social business

Corporate Institutions

Advocacy groups

Barriers in knowledge production and sharing

Roles and activities Issues to consider

Civil society is a highly debated term and there are various

approaches on the what entities civil society comprises.

Current roles vary widely across and within contexts of countries,

cultures and disaster situations.

Focus still on crises and emergencies - Yet, there is a shift towards

disaster risk reduction.

Mass media play a central role in guiding public interest thus fund

raising and strategy of civil society entities.

Social media Web2.0 emerge as novel means of civil involvement

and participation.

As the third sector negotiates its position within a new public –

private balance, its role is expected to change.

Structural

Institutional means for ensuring accountability, transparency and legitimacy of civil society entities linger. Information on their activities and works may be insufficient or false.

Functional

Civil society entities can be short-lived or stay for a short time. Their knowledge and experience is often lost. Media is key for fund raising and visibility. This may guide their focus and the communication approach.

Social

People, civil society entities and governments do not necessarily share the same values, concerns and interests as regards DRR and CCA. Information can be maneuvered so as to serve the interests of each player.

Intrinsic

Data and information disseminated through social media cannot /should not be controlled. Hence they can be misleading or wrong and at the same time they are persistent and pervasive.

Offer a balance in relation to

government shortcomings

Identify, access and respond to, the

needs of communities

Raise funding

Inform and raise awareness – Train

and educate

Generate and diffuse knowledge -

Hold and utilize traditional and local

knowledge

Monitor and advocate

Provide input to DRR and CCA

agenda setting and policy development

process