In recent decades, Latin America (LA) has been frequently and severely affected by floods and landslides. There is an urgency for adopting Comprehensive Disaster and Climate Risk Management (CRM). In 2016, a group of Peruvian universities established a network (Gestion Integral del Riesgo de Desastres y Adaptacion al Cambio Climatico (GIRD-ACC)) committed to the principles of CRM. This article compiles and evaluates the network results/plans and actions. A qualitative study and a methodological strategy are reported featuring: a bibliographic/network documentary review; an account of the events that led to the start and development of the network; and a case study of a three-university network. Results show that the network can help in deepening knowledge and forging a culture of risk prevention. This is by incorporating risk management and climate change awareness in professional training and intensive activity to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs -11, 13, and 17). Results indicate the importance of gaining consensus (a notoriously difficult task in LA) between the authorities and the operational departments; the role of universities' social responsibilities; incorporating sustainability and risk management themes in the mainstream curricula; and developing a network by learning from similar groupings across LA to improve CRM within universities.
Espinoza-Molina, J; Paucar-Cáceres, A; Silva-Cornejo, MD; Quispe-Prieto, S; Acosta-Caipa, K; Chambe-Vega, E; Osco-Mamani, E; Cordova-Buiza, F; Burrowes-Cromwell, T; Huerta-Tantalean, LN
Enabling Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change through a Network of Peruvian Universities
Sustainability