The process of development of this course included engagement of technical experts from various sectors, and draw upon extensive experience and examples of countries demonstrating application of mainstreaming approach into national and sectoral development planning processes. Comments and suggestions generated from the four previous conduct of the course were considered to ensure relevance and appropriateness of the content.

The goal of the course is to enhance understanding on mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the development planning process, in order to build the capacities of government officials, development partners and stakeholders to implement disaster resilient development. The specific objectives of the course include:

1. To increase awareness among participants on the need to mainstream DRR into the development planning processes,
2. To enhance the capacity of participants on ‘how to’ mainstream DRR concerns into the national, sub-national, sectoral development planning processes,
3. To provide a platform for experience sharing, discussion and interactive professional exchange on MDRD application and practice.

The course will be delivered through three modules:

Module 1 Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction: The purpose of the first module is to provide participants with the basic knowledge on DRR that is required to support a detailed understanding of mainstreaming. The module will cover terminologies related to DRR, discuss the comprehensive link between disasters and development, and provide a basic outline on risk assessment and how to use risk information to guide development decisions.

Module 2 Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Development Planning Process: Module 2 will form the core of the training and will start by providing a detailed explanation of what is mainstreaming and provide a broad framework for mainstreaming DRR. The subsequent sessions will then aim to break down the development planning processes into its key component parts and suggests the approaches for mainstreaming DRR into the respective component.

Module 3 Enabling Environment for Mainstreaming: The final module will introduce actions required to initiate and sustain the process of mainstreaming DRR into development. Topics covered would include advocacy, monitoring and evaluation for mainstreaming, and financing options for DRR.

1. Government official responsible for disaster risk reduction policy and planning, national development planning, physical/land-use planning, local development, finance, or from national forums on Millennium Development Goals and related agencies.

2. Development professionals from development agencies (such as UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral agencies and non-governmental organizations), working closely with government agencies on issues related to development policy, planning and programs.

Package A with accommodation: US$2,000
Package B without accommodation: US$1,575

The standard course fee of US$2,000 covers course tuition, training materials, single accommodation with breakfast (6 nights), two break refreshments & lunch (Monday-Friday) during the training, and study visits. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application, lunch on weekends, all dinners, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses.

Participants who wish to seek own accommodation can choose an alternative course fee package B of US$1,575

To ensure quality delivery of sessions, we are limiting the availability of seats. Interested participants are requested to fill in the application online, which is available at www.adpc.net/tsu/sign-in.asp and submit latest by August 29, 2014.

Based on the specific objective of the course and availability of limited number of seats, interested candidates would be selected based on their experience of working in/with the above mentioned agencies. Interested parties wii be informed of payment details and pre-course information.

The MDRD course is delivered using adult learning techniques with an emphasis on interactive lecture discussions, group exercises, plenary sessions, and group brain-storming. The course will be enriched by guest speakers whom will host debates and discussions using their wealth of practical experience in the field to provide cutting edge insights into how we can progress the mainstreaming agenda. Participants will also be encouraged to share their experiences of mainstreaming DRR from their respective countries.