SciDev.Net

From August 25 - 29 2008, the IDRC International Disaster and Risk Conference will take place in Davos, Switzerland.

Under the theme "Public - Private Partnership" the following topics will be discussed:

• Climate Change
• Critical Infrastructure
• Integrated Risk Management
• Pandemics and Diseases

The expected outcome of IDRC Davos 2008 is to build stronger ties between disaster and risk management communities and sectors, in particular with the private sector, and to devise approaches to move towards a more truly integrated way of thinking about disaster and risk management – in line with the conference motto: “public-private partnership – key for integral risk management and climate change adaptation”.

Special working groups shall be established during the conference to move specific issues forward. Progress reports will be made available to the participants. Projects and new initiatives will be started.

From talking to action will be an important goal. A specific mentoring process between experienced personalities and young scientists respectively young professionals shall be established.