First consultative meeting for building a global media network on disaster risk reduction

As part of its advocacy and awareness-raising roles, UNISDR attaches a great importance to increasing media contributions to disaster risk reduction. UNISDR believes that closer working relations between disaster managers/experts and the media will help convey disaster risk reduction messages better to communities and decision-makers.

In this context, UNISDR is initiating the process of developing a “Global Media Network for Disaster Risk Reduction” (DRR) to promote a new approach to disaster reporting worldwide; a new approach that reflects and contributes to the ongoing shift of paradigm from disaster response to disaster risk reduction.

To explore ways and means to establish, promote and sustain the proposed Global Media Network for DRR, and to build potential members’ leadership and ownership of the Network, UNISDR held a preliminary consultative meeting with a small group of journalists and UN communication/information officers who have demonstrated a strong interest in and support to the initiative.