UN major group of children and youth launches Young Scientist Platform on DRR

The Young Scientist Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction was launched on the 28th January 2016 during the side event 'The role of young scientist for the implementation of Sendai Framework' in the UNISDR Science and Technology Conference 27-29 January 2016. Initiated by the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY), this platform has been established to provide a space for young experts from different scientific fields and regions to connect with their colleagues, to widen their knowledge, and to share their expertise.

The role of young scientists in strengthening the evidence based implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is crucial. The platform will narrow the gap between DRR-related science and policy. Furthermore, it aims to promote capacity building, through mentoring programme, as well as providing opportunities for young experts to showcase their research and valuable contributions. The platform is designed to trigger international, interdisciplinary, and inter-generational collaboration within young scientists themselves, as well as with other institutions and experts working in the field of DRR. A young scientists roadmap has been drafted to complement the UNISDR S&T roadmap, in order to achieve better contribution of science towards policy making and implementation of SFDRR.

Apart from launching the Young Scientists Platform on DRR, a number of young scientists from different parts of the world have been actively engaged throughout and in the lead up to the UNISDR Science and Technology Conference. They participate in different activities, including as discussants in the sessions, side events, and poster exhibitions of the conference.

The next step after the launching of the platform is to finalise the Young Scientists Roadmap and start the implementation. The platform is open for any young scientists interested and we encourage interdisciplinary as well as intergenerational communication and collaboration.