From May 31 to June 3, 2010, International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC DAVOS) was held in Davos, Switzerland which attracted more than 800 attendees from Switzerland, US, Japan, India and African countries. There were 36 attendees from China’s mainland, of whom 16 were led by ESPRE Director and Executive Vice President Professor Shi Peijun.

Themed “Risk, Disaster, Crisis and Global Change- from Threats to Sustainable Opportunities”, the conference had 13 main sessions, 54 sub-sessions and 24 special report sessions with a total of 279 reports; and 18 special exhibition zones with 179 posters. BNU organized and hosted 1 theme discussion, 2 special discussion sessions and 2 theme discussions as guests. 7 representatives from BNU presented report in the main and sub-forums and 6 posters introducing BNU’s research were showcased.

On June 1, BNU hosted Luncheonon IDRC venue to introduce the development of BNU and its research in disaster risk governance. 22 guests were invited, including IDRC chairman Ammann Walter, Davos Mayor Michel Hans Peter, and guests from Colorado State University, Risk Management Solutions Inc, Kyoto University, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, UN-ISDR and UNESCO. On behalf of BNU, Executive Vice President Shi Peijun, together with Carlo Jeager, cochairman of IRG core scientific plan signed a cooperation agreement with Davos Chairman Ammann Walter, planning to set disaster risk session of BNU and special session of IRG core scientific plan in 2010 Davos Disaster and Risk Forum.

 

In that afternoon, two Special Sessions on “Experience in Dealing with Catastrophe” were held: one for foreign guests hosted by Special-term Professor Han Guoyi invited by “985” project of ESPRE, during which Doctor Sabandar William from ASEAN, Professor Kaoru Takara from Kyoto University, Doctor Laurent Hou from Université Paris-Sorbonne, Professor Armin Haas from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research delivered reports respectively; another session was co-chaired by Professor Han Guoyi and Associate Professor Wang Ming, during which Doctor Ye Tao of ESPRE, Associate Professor Wang Ming, and Associate Professor Liu Jifu from Academy of Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management, Ministry of Civil Affairs & Ministry of Education presented special reports on domestic research.

 

On the afternoon of June 3, BNU organized and hosted theme discussion session of “IRG-Integrated Risk Governance”. Professor Shi Peijun delivered a report and Professor Ye Qian introduced the background, significance and planning of IHDP-IRG project.

 

In this conference, all the BNU attendees presented the progress and results made in disaster and risk governance, providing a good platform for international cooperation for the discipline’s development.