12:02:30 PM Avagene Moore:Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum -- we are highlighting World Disaster Reduction Day October 14, 1998, in this session. ... 12:02:51 PM Avagene Moore:Today, October 14, 1998, is United Nations World Disaster Reduction Day ... 12:03:03 PM Avagene Moore:The celebration of the Day is the culmination of the United Nations World Disaster Reduction Campaigns, organized by the IDNDR Secretariat. ... 12:03:13 PM Avagene Moore:We are pleased to have everyone with us today and we want to give an overview of what World Disaster Reduction Day is all about. ... 12:03:29 PM Avagene Moore:Quoting from a message from the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, of the United Nations Organisation ... 12:03:39 PM Avagene Moore:"Almost daily, we are reminded of the threat of natural disasters. Since the beginning of the year, we have endured catastrophic floods in Asia, deadly hurricanes in the Americas and the serious consequences of El Nino on several continents. ... 12:03:48 PM Avagene Moore:But while we cannot stop the forces of nature, we can and must prevent them from turning into major social and economic disasters. ... 12:04:06 PM Avagene Moore:Prevention begins with information. On this International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, I wish to encourage the widest possible partnership, communication and exchange of information among all groups of society and all nations to ensure a sustained commitment to a safer world, a world more resilient to the impact of natural 12:04:19 PM Avagene Moore:hazards and disasters." ... 12:04:31 PM Avagene Moore:We can certainly agree with the UN Secretary General's remarks. Many of you have read the entire statement if you are participating in the ongoing UN IDNDR Virtual Conference. ... 12:04:48 PM Avagene Moore:The United Nations World Disaster Reduction Campaigns, organized by the IDNDR Secretariat, are designed to make people aware, world-wide, and across all professional and social sectors, of what they can do to protect their countries and communities from natural hazards. ... 12:05:18 PM Avagene Moore:We are pleased to have an IDNDR representative with us today ... 12:05:29 PM Avagene Moore:Our special guest is Helena Molin Valdes, Head, Latin America Unit in Costa Rica, IDNDR Secretariat. ... 12:05:38 PM Avagene Moore:Helena is a Swedish Master of Architecture, working at the UN IDNDR Secretariat, outposted in Costa Rica for the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, since 1992. ... 12:05:53 PM Avagene Moore:Prior to her IDNDR involvement, Helena worked in Nicargaua for six years in local development projects (housing, water, community training and capaicity building, municipality reinforcement, local building material development, energy saving firewood stoves, etc.) with Swedish cooperation. ... 12:06:18 PM Avagene Moore:As part of IDNDR responsibility ... 12:06:31 PM Avagene Moore:Helena also functions as director of the Regional Disaster Information Center CRID, based in Costa Rica. ... 12:06:52 PM Avagene Moore:Helena, thanks for being here today. I turn the floor to you now. 12:07:01 PM Amy Sebring:http://www.netsalud.sa.cr/crid/ 12:07:26 PM hmolin:Thank you, on behalf of my Collegues at the IDNDR Secretariat.... 12:07:53 PM hmolin:which is based at the United Nations in Geneva. We have one outposted regional office only, here in San Jose. 12:08:25 PM hmolin:With the campaign this year we want to enhance a closer partnership with COMMUNICATORS.. 12:08:45 PM hmolin:for disaster reduction.. that means to reduce the IMPACT of disasters.. 12:09:12 PM hmolin:Too often scientists and disaster managers works "in the dark" or spread messages.. 12:09:22 PM hmolin:not easily understood by the public. 12:09:40 PM hmolin:My basic message today will be: 12:09:56 PM hmolin:public information/change of attitudes towards a prevention culture... 12:10:08 PM hmolin:...it is absolutely necessary that social communicators (call them journalists if you want)... 12:10:23 PM hmolin:.work hand in hand with so called disaster managers (every scientific and disaster management institution... 12:11:08 PM hmolin:..should have professional communicators in their staff). 12:11:08 PM hmolin:Media and journalists alone are not responsible for "sensationalistic approach"... 12:11:42 PM hmolin:..."partnership" and close contacts, training, ownership and the window of opportunity a disaster means... 12:11:54 PM hmolin:...are the keywords for how to get media more involved in the PREVENTION message.... 12:12:10 PM hmolin:Ignorance about the internal functioning of the media explains why 12:13:00 PM hmolin:may arise between specialists in any given field and the media. 12:13:05 PM hmolin:.Lack of interest from the owners of media make "serious journalism" difficult sometimes... 12:13:25 PM hmolin:These were some main conslusions at a recent LAtin AMerican Workshop for Media on Disaster prevention, held in Ecuador two weeks ago. 12:13:41 PM hmolin:Do we have any communicators or media people with us? 12:14:22 PM Amy Sebring:(We are probably all communicators, but not professional media.) 12:14:52 PM Avagene Moore:(I don't know that we have any professional media here today.) 12:14:57 PM hmolin:Right, but that is also an issue> "We are all communicators... 12:15:20 PM hmolin:but the difference is that to prepare a public information strategy.. 12:15:36 PM hmolin:or messages for a "disaster prevention culture".. 12:15:57 PM hmolin:a professional input change the approach. 12:16:05 PM hmolin:Do you agree? 12:16:22 PM hmolin:Quoting a previous conferencist, Mr. Athanase Karayenga, Journalist (Burundi) and Communication Expert 12:16:48 PM hmolin:"The disaster management specialist often believes that the media will prefer sensationalist news.... 12:17:20 PM hmolin:..and reporting on natural disasters when it is too late.... 12:17:30 PM hmolin:The media specialist often believes that the methods used to sensitize the general 12:17:45 PM hmolin:.. used by disaster specialists are formulated in a language which is 12:18:07 PM hmolin:too complicated and not accessible to everyone.... 12:18:17 PM medicb4:"public information strategy" infers a level of organization sadly lacking in planning today...Worldwide (but with a few exceptions) 12:18:22 PM hmolin:This is ground for a misunderstanding based on different views, even if both analyses are 12:19:02 PM hmolin:eventually true.. 12:19:19 PM hmolin:If specialists in natural phenomena and media professionals collaborate and 12:20:23 PM hmolin:and develop a simple but sharp information campaign TOGETHER,... 12:20:50 PM hmolin:there is no reason why a culture of prevention should not enter people s minds and 12:21:18 PM hmolin:habits. 12:21:47 PM hmolin:In order to ameliorate collaboration with media professionals, it is 12:22:03 PM hmolin:crucial that disaster management specialists get to know the media to 12:22:25 PM hmolin:contact the appropriate specialized services relative to the level of the energency.. 12:22:35 PM hmolin:..simple prevention messages may be enough sometimes.... 12:22:52 PM hmolin:..special editions and documentaries will need to be produced to explain certain phenomena in the absence of an immediate threat.. 12:23:18 PM hmolin:Early warning messages will need to be circulated- with media already ivolved in advance how these works...linked to local organizations to respond. 12:23:53 PM hmolin:In short, for public opinion to adopt a culture of prevention, a sound,imaginative and efficient communication strategy with the media needs to be developed. 12:24:29 PM hmolin:Another truthis: work with community leaders and media together:.. 12:24:39 PM David Seabrook:It seems to me that debate on how the media message can be made more effective is premature. Speaking from an american perspective I have concern that the relationship between mass media and the political process places obstacles and constraints to meaningful results from communication. Do not your above arguments assume a media willing to serve apolitically? Could you comment? 12:24:40 PM hmolin:Messages prepared by the people living at risk are many times more appropiate for radio and local press... 12:25:43 PM hmolin:..than messages prepared only by professionals (read disaster managers or journalists from another area). The READING of the message... 12:25:57 PM hmolin:..or codification, is very close to local practices and culture. 12:26:50 PM hmolin:Dis anyone read the article from the Costa Rican experience to work integrated with community.. 12:26:57 PM hmolin:organizations for mitigation and preparedness... 12:27:18 PM hmolin:and with local media, that together with community leaders... 12:27:33 PM hmolin:worked on messages and campaigns? 12:27:55 PM Amy Sebring:(Please note that the article Helena refers to can be found in the press kit at .... 12:27:59 PM Amy Sebring:http://156.106.192.130/dha_ol/programs/idndr/presskit/index.h tml ) 12:28:35 PM Avagene Moore:Thank you, Helena. I recommend that everyone in our audience today take a look at the IDNDR Press Kit (link to IDNDR information on Virtual Forum home page). ... 12:28:54 PM hmolin:The IDNDR campaign is based on activities that are promoted and carried out all over the world.. 12:28:55 PM Avagene Moore:This is the URL Amy has on screen for you ... 12:29:20 PM hmolin:by local and national organizations. 12:29:59 PM Avagene Moore:Before we go to Q&A, is there anyone on line working closely with the IDNDR? I know David Butler does. Dave do you want to add anything to what Helena has shared with us? 12:30:26 PM Avagene Moore:(Then we will open to Q&A with the audience.) 12:30:43 PM David Butler:Well, there's a lot I could add . . . 12:31:28 PM David Butler:(Helena I did read the Costa Rica article - and thought it was one of the best contributions to this years's Internet conference) . . . 12:31:49 PM David Butler:But one thing that struck me (and I don't want to be a Pollyana ) . . . 12:32:26 PM David Butler:is that we tend to talk about disaster communication and information as though it is mostly a failure and that it needs much improvement 12:32:40 PM David Butler:but at the same time . . . 12:33:04 PM David Butler:(And this is just personal opinion, not supported by quantitative data . . .) 12:33:45 PM David Butler:It really does seem that in the last ten years, general awareness - both among governmental agencies around the world and among the general public . . . 12:34:36 PM David Butler:is better. Disasters and disaster mitigation are certainly higher on the national and world agenda than a decade ago . . . 12:35:00 PM David Butler:I just say this to remind ourselves that we have, in part, succeeded. 12:35:05 PM Avagene Moore:Thank you, David. --- One more thing before Q&A, sorry. --- Amy, I believe you have something you want to contribute to our discussion from one of the papers shared duing the ongoing IDNDR Virtual Conference. Amy? 12:35:17 PM Amy Sebring:Yes, thank you. 12:35:20 PM Amy Sebring:Real quick.. 12:35:42 PM Amy Sebring:one of the best pieces in addition to Helena's was by Gloria... 12:36:01 PM Amy Sebring:Bratschi which I wanted to share... 12:36:09 PM Amy Sebring:It is an excerpt from her book... 12:36:24 PM Amy Sebring:Comunicando el Desastre (Communicating Disasters) 12:36:38 PM Amy Sebring:She describes an 8 step process which I would like to post quickly. 12:36:46 PM Amy Sebring:Organizational Outline of a Campaign: 12:36:53 PM Amy Sebring:1. Research (gathering of quantitative and qualitative data; initial sketching of goals). 12:37:01 PM Amy Sebring:2. Analysis of all the material compiled. 12:37:07 PM Amy Sebring:3. Study of the target audience (typifying the different social, economic and cultural profiles of that audience). 12:37:16 PM Amy Sebring:4. Definition of the goals, both general and specific. 12:37:27 PM Amy Sebring:5. Definition of the stages of the campaign, on the basis of opportunity, selection and definition criteria. 12:37:34 PM Amy Sebring:6. Selection of the channels to be used, taking into account both face-to-face and mediated communication. 12:37:41 PM Amy Sebring:7. Preparation of the messages, which will be adapted to each channel chosen, particularly bearing in mind the characteristics of face-to-face and mediated communication. 12:37:50 PM Amy Sebring:8. The development of a campaign timeline or flowchart listing the various channels and activities to enable planners to have an overview of the entire campaign and verify is the communications strategy is balanced. 12:38:08 PM Amy Sebring:This is professional advice and I think very helpful in developing a strategy. 12:38:14 PM Avagene Moore:Thank you, Amy. Please, everyone, read these articles if you have not at this point. To keep order for Q&A ... 12:38:15 PM Amy Sebring:That's it. Thanks. 12:38:32 PM Avagene Moore:you are asked to type in a question mark (?) if you wish to speak or ask a question .... 12:38:40 PM Avagene Moore:Compose your question or comment while waiting to be recognized by the moderator. First question, please. 12:38:44 PM David Seabrook:Helena: Please excuse the interruption of my question above but if you are able to scroll up to it, I would be interested to hear your perspective. 12:39:30 PM hmolin:Which question? 12:39:42 PM Amy Sebring:Go ahead and briefly restate please David. 12:39:47 PM Avagene Moore:David, you may have to restate. 12:39:49 PM Amy Sebring:? 12:40:06 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, while David restates his question. 12:40:17 PM Amy Sebring:In follow up to David Butler's remark, and Helena's point about documentaries ... 12:40:35 PM Amy Sebring:I rarely watch TV but last night I watched PBS. 12:40:48 PM Amy Sebring:Back to back there was a NOVA program on El Nino... 12:41:01 PM Amy Sebring:and a Frontline piece on biological terrorism... 12:41:11 PM Amy Sebring:so we are getting some good attention. 12:41:45 PM Amy Sebring:David S. go ahead if you are ready pls. 12:41:53 PM Avagene Moore:(David, if you are ready.) 12:42:00 PM David Seabrook:It seems to me that debate on how to improve the effectiveness of the media mesage presumes that they are able to serve ... 12:42:32 PM David Seabrook:outside the influence of the political process. Speaking from the american perspective... 12:43:04 PM David Seabrook:I have concerns that they can function independently. Can you comment? 12:44:10 PM hmolin:My opinion is that this can work independently. Depends on the will of media... 12:44:27 PM hmolin:not only to be "consroversial" or to "sell action".. 12:44:43 PM Mark Wood:? 12:44:45 PM hmolin:but to see the information value of guiding the audience... 12:44:56 PM hmolin:towards how to live safer.. 12:45:20 PM hmolin:how to EARN in the long run (without necessarily talk about devastation). 12:46:13 PM Avagene Moore:Mark Wood. 12:46:40 PM Mark Wood:Hi folks, its confession time 12:47:04 PM Mark Wood:I used to work at the BBC so there are some viewpoints that i can share 12:47:22 PM Mark Wood:The folks who really decide what you see are the news editors 12:47:40 PM Mark Wood:however public warnings are rather 'boring' and are not really news 12:48:01 PM Mark Wood:so i think perhaps a 'feature' editor will be interested more 12:48:23 PM Mark Wood:perhaps a liason with the 'news' and 'features' editors would be heplfull 12:48:37 PM Mark Wood:have you tried that? 12:48:37 PM Mark Wood:have you tried that? 12:48:43 PM Kevin Farrell:? 12:48:58 PM hmolin:I have been told that it is not ONLY the news Editors, but the OWNERS that decide about angles? Good idea with the "feature" editor, yes we have tried, somtimes works.. 12:49:22 PM hmolin:..also some editions have like Supplements, where these kind of messages work. 12:49:25 PM Avagene Moore:Kevin, your question or comment,please. 12:49:31 PM Kevin Farrell:It sounds like what you're saying is that PSA's don't garner network ratings points... correct? 12:49:55 PM Kevin Farrell:PSA = public service announcement 12:50:07 PM Mark Wood:It can be a bit political withing the news organisation 12:50:23 PM Mark Wood:there is a gentlemans agreement about what is news and what is a feature 12:50:24 PM hmolin:Correct... but Twisters and Dante s Peak does... Use these (and big Disasters) as windows of opportunities to "talk prevention business". 12:50:31 PM Mark Wood:i think it is as brutal as this 12:50:42 PM Mark Wood:you never know when there is going to be a boring day 12:51:02 PM Mark Wood:so you keep some feature sories up your sleve to roll out if there is not real news 12:51:17 PM Mark Wood:however they try to make the feature topical 12:51:36 PM Avagene Moore:Anyone else have a question for Helena before we run out of time? ... 12:51:37 PM Mark Wood:? 12:51:53 PM Terry Storer:? 12:51:53 PM Avagene Moore:I want to let our audience know that next week... 12:52:19 PM Avagene Moore:we will be discussing the Pop Culture of Disasters -- reference to disaster movies triggered that. .. 12:52:23 PM Avagene Moore:Mark Wood. 12:53:04 PM Mark Wood:no further questions m'lud 12:53:18 PM Marilyn Barker:? 12:53:20 PM Avagene Moore:You had a ? OK , Terry. 12:53:42 PM Isabel McCurdy:Comment. 12:53:43 PM Terry Storer:Should we redirect some of thinking to the kids of Planet Earth? Maybe Disaster Dudes rather than Power Rangers. Imagine a whole generation of diaster savy kids. 12:54:10 PM Avagene Moore:(Great idea, Terry.) 12:54:28 PM Avagene Moore:Helena, what do you think about Terry's idea? 12:54:47 PM David Butler:Comment 12:54:50 PM hmolin:Very good! Now we have to sell to some network.... 12:55:16 PM hmolin:IDNDR tired to engage Mr. Bean in a serie on this topic.. 12:55:30 PM hmolin:for what I know, it did not work. Good luck! 12:55:31 PM ray pena:Comment 12:55:33 PM Avagene Moore:Marilyn, you are next. 12:55:36 PM Marilyn Barker:how does the high turn over rate among media people affect this effort? 12:55:46 PM Mark Wood:In fact there is "thunderbirds are go" a british childrens seriese which is very good at this 12:56:24 PM hmolin:We suggest that journalist shools (social communication) should have the topic as .. 12:57:06 PM hmolin:a course (compulsary or free). Short training sessions with media and journalists are also being done... 12:57:19 PM hmolin:at least in some Latin American countries. 12:57:32 PM Marilyn Barker:? 12:57:39 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel, you have a comment. (Folks, this is good dialogue; with your permission, we will run over a bit today.) 12:57:42 PM Isabel McCurdy:Comment To David Butler. It appears to why there has been an increased interest in disaster and mitigation has been a result of legislation. Canada's legislation was only formulated 10 years ago. 12:57:59 PM Avagene Moore:David Butler, comment time for you. 12:58:03 PM hmolin:Visits and "personal contact building" between dusaster managers and specific journalists or media owners are also good. 12:58:21 PM David Butler:Sorry, got cut off for a second . . . 12:58:34 PM David Butler:But regardin the idea of educating kids . . . 12:58:49 PM David Butler:In fact, FEMA has adopted this approach . . . 12:59:20 PM David Butler:For example, see the FEMA for kids Web site: www.fema.gov/kids/ 12:59:26 PM Avagene Moore:Ray Pena, you have a comment -- please submit. 12:59:29 PM Amy Sebring:We missed Marilyn's question. Journalists tend to move around a lot so there is constant re-educating involved it seems. 12:59:48 PM ray pena:The most important thing we do as emergency managers is provide information to the people we serve about how to manage hazards and the effects of disaster. Most people get their info from the media. Ergo, media and emergency managers MUST work together. (Sorry if this belabors the obvious or has been previously stated.) 01:00:04 PM Avagene Moore:(I am coming back to Marilyn after Ray.) Marilyn, you have another question? 01:01:18 PM Marilyn Barker:so that could also be a local effort 01:01:34 PM Marilyn Barker:(sorry the phone rang) 01:01:37 PM Avagene Moore:Does anyone else have a question or comment for Helena or the group? 01:02:04 PM Isabel McCurdy:Information has to be consistent. 01:02:13 PM Avagene Moore:Helena, this has been a wonderful exchange. Thank you so much for joining us today. ... 01:02:33 PM joe ashby:sorry for delayed intro, tech probs, better luck next time 01:02:41 PM hmolin:Announcement: We make a Magazine for Latin America and the Caribbean called IDNDR Informs (Spanish and Eng.).. 01:03:03 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks to our audience also. Good input and a topic that needs more discussion. 01:03:08 PM hmolin:You may send us your address if you want to recieve it (semestral) 01:03:20 PM Amy Sebring:Before Helena runs off ... 01:03:30 PM Kevin Farrell: 01:03:40 PM Avagene Moore:We can hang around a few minutes if anyone has more questions or comments. Go ahead Amy. 01:03:52 PM Jose Musse:<<<<<>>>>>>><<<,applause>>>>>> 01:03:55 PM Amy Sebring:want to remind once again about the upcoming OAS Internet conference next week ... 01:04:00 PM Mark Wood:clap! clap! 01:04:02 PM hmolin:IDNDR Regional Unit in Costa Rica: hmolin@undpcos.nu.or.cr 01:04:18 PM Isabel McCurdy: 01:06:33 PM hmolin:Thanks a lot! 01:06:36 PM Avagene Moore:Way to go, Isabel!!! 01:06:54 PM Isabel McCurdy:Thank you everyone. {blush) 01:06:56 PM Avagene Moore:Helena, join us again when you can. You know where we are now. 01:07:19 PM Marilyn Barker:Thank you Dr. Molin for tackeling this seemingly insurmountable task 01:07:22 PM hmolin:You are right! I will be moderating 21 Oct. on the OAS conference.. Academic Aspects. 01:07:25 PM hmolin: See you! 01:07:32 PM David Butler:Have to go . . . but nice to talk with you Helena (indeed, we never know where we'll meet next . . . !) 01:07:34 PM Mark Wood:isabel is a belle 01:07:37 PM Amy Sebring:Oh, great Helena. 01:07:44 PM Avagene Moore:Also, any of our first timers today -- we are thrilled to have you with us in the Virtual Forum! 01:07:46 PM Amy Sebring:Thanks David Butler. 01:07:52 PM Avagene Moore:Small world, Helena. 01:08:15 PM joe ashby:thanks for including me 01:08:17 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks to David and everyone here today! 01:08:27 PM Amy Sebring:We are honored you all have come to celebrate World Disaster Reduction Day with us... 01:08:34 PM Avagene Moore:Joe, were you late or confused about the time today? 01:08:46 PM joe ashby:tech probs 01:08:54 PM Amy Sebring:I think the improvement we have seen that you spoke of David, has in part been due to IDNDR. 01:09:32 PM Amy Sebring:Please note that the new IDNDR site has some very good info now ... 01:09:40 PM Amy Sebring:http://www.idndr.org 01:09:58 PM Amy Sebring:including the Yokohama message. 01:10:19 PM Amy Sebring:Preparations for wrapping up the decade are already underway. 01:10:33 PM Avagene Moore:You know that the IDNDR is celebrating big time in Geneva right now. ... 01:10:49 PM Avagene Moore:For example ... 01:11:02 PM Avagene Moore:Mr. Duo Ji Cai Rang, Minister of Civil Affairs (China) and Mr. Wang Ang-Sheng Chinese Academy of Sciences to receive the 1998 United Nations Sasawaka Disaster Prevention Award ... 01:12:05 PM joe ashby:good for them, Dr Wang not able to meet with me in Beijing 01:12:08 PM Avagene Moore:Activities are occurring around the world today and in the coming weeks ... 01:13:16 PM Avagene Moore:designed to make people aware, worldwide, and across all professional and social sectors, of what they can do to make their countries and communities safer from natural disasters. ... 01:13:37 PM Avagene Moore:Many seminars and special workshops plus .... 01:14:03 PM Avagene Moore:the EIIP Virtual Forum. We are proud to be part of World Disaster Reduction Day!!