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.Dandoulaki 1 , Th.Karymbalis 2 , Y. Melissourgos 2 , S.Skordili 2 , N.Valkanou 2 The Civil Society 1 National School of Public Administration and Local Government, Greece ([email protected]) 2 Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) 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