The Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network Day, 7 December 2021
Preventing, preparing for, and responding to disasters requires strong cooperation, coordination at many levels and a combination of skills and expertise. The Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network, established through Decision No 1313/2013/EU, aims to strengthen the Union Civil Protection Mechanism in all these aspects.
During the "Knowledge Network Day", European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič hosted a high-level panel that marked the official launch of the initiative. It was followed by two working sessions focused on the role of knowledge in the management of crises (illustrated by a case study of the 2021 forest fires in southeast Europe) and the role of science in support of prevention, preparedness, and resilience in a changing risk landscape. The Day also featured the first meeting of the Knowledge Network Board, which brings together representatives from UCPM Member and Participating States to advise the Commission on the strategic direction of the Network.
The Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network already features some well-known and successful activities that it strengthens and makes more inclusive, like the UCPM training programme or the activities of the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre, the nucleus of the Network's Science Pillar. More activities, plans, and a set of collaborative features on its online platform will be released in the months to come.
