Training Workshop on Space Technology for Disaster Mitigation

In response to the needs of developing countries in disaster risk reduction, the CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence on Space Technology for Disaster Mitigation (STDM) in collaboration with the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO will organize a training workshops to enhance the capacity building for developing countriesto tackle with disaster issues using advanced space technologies.

The workshop collects information on international best practices with applications to a variety of hazard events, especially for floods, droughts, earthquakes, tropical cyclones and storms. It stretches over a 2-week period, covering both theoretical and practical aspects on the use of space technologies for disaster mitigation. Experts from various national and international institutions, including UN agencies, ICSU, GEO, CEOS, and TWAS, will share their experiences with working on disaster mitigation and Earth observation.

STDM is formally established in Beijing in 2013, and jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), and hosted at the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI) of CAS. The goal of the Centre is to conduct much-needed research on disaster mitigation through advanced space technologies, especially space-borne Earth observation technology and provide knowledge transfer in developing countries through joint research, education, training, workshop and advisory services. In addition, the close relationships and outreach with TWAS and its Regional Office will also effectively advance its mission.

HIST, a category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO, was established in Beijing in July 2011 and also hosted by the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI) of CAS. Its objective is to assist developing member states of UNESCO to strengthen their capacity for the conservation, documentation and sustainability efforts for UNESCO-inscribed world heritage sites, world biosphere reserves by using space technologies. Therefore, capacity-building events are to be to organized to raise the awareness about the use of space technologies for a series of interdisciplinary activities including World Heritage sites, biosphere reserves, natural disaster, education, sustainable development.