In 2015, the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI) was established as a collaborative platform for engaging, discussion, sharing knowledge and promoting networks on topics related to risk reduction and resilience to disasters. A major stimulus for the formation of GADRI was the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 that called for prioritising understanding of disaster risks at global and regional levels which was adopted in the same year in Sendai at the Third UN World Conference for DRR.
About GADRI
Objectives
- To establish a global research network
- To provide a research roadmap, and plans and organization of disaster research groups
- To promote capacity development of disaster research institutes and enhance researcher and student exchange
- To promote exchange and sharing of data and information for scientific research across the world
- To serve as an advocacy organization to present views in an effort to influence decision-making processes
GADRI Strives to:
- Increase disaster resilience through the collaboration of research organizations around the world.
- Recognize demands for continuing and improving international efforts in disaster risk reduction.
- Facilitate coordination among research institutes.
- Improve communication and engagement among trans-disciplinary groups and different communities that include researchers, practitioners, educators, media and policy makers.
- Promote priorities and directions that will make disaster reduction efforts more effective.
Activities
- Disaster and Risk Research: GADRI Book Series
- Biennial Global Summits of GADRI
- Biennial Open Discussion Forums of GADRI
- GADRI ACTIONS – GADRI newsletters
- GADRI Annual Reports
- GADRI Prospectus
GADRI Regional Alliances
GADRI has become the foundation for many international joint research networks, and has created a system to promote disaster prevention science/technology roadmaps and action plans. As a result, GADRI regional networks are formed in:
- Africa - African Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (AADRI), Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe
- North America - North American Alliance of Hazards and Disaster Research Institutes (NAAHDRI), Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
- South Asia - South Asian Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (SAADRI), IIT, Roorkee, India; and
- UK - UK Alliance for Disaster Research (UKADR), UK
Membership
Membership is open to institutes with an aim to contribute to the advancement of disaster risk reduction and resilience research. Various research institutions from around the world have joined GADRI among which are universities, networks, organizations in collaboration with UN agencies such as UNDRR, UNESCO, UNU, International Science Council (ISC) and others. GADRI membership is free of charge.
Currently, there are 208 active GADRI member research institutes based in 55 economies that constitute as the GADRI General Assembly.
In addition, there are GADRI Partners and Member Associates.
GADRI and the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
GADRI strongly support and contribute by taking stock of progress and achievements in DRR research from its members toward the targets of the Science and Technology Roadmap to implement the goals and priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
GADRI strives to work in close partnership with UNDRR.
Organizational Structure
The structure of GADRI consists of:
- General Assembly which includes all GADRI member institutions.
- Board of Directors that serve as the governing board of GADRI. The members of the Board are elected by the GADRI General Assembly.
- The Chair of the Board is elected by the Board of Directors.
- The Secretary-General of GADRI is elected by the Board of Directors.
GADRI Secretariat is hosted by the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Japan.
Board of Directors of GADRI
The Board of Directors of GADRI is established on a broad geographical basis with regard to academic, scientific, educational and disaster vulnerability trends in the world, and recognizing the designated research areas. The Board consists of 11 member institutions serving in their individual capacity, who are nominated by the Secretariat and approved by the GADRI General Assembly which is made up of the GADRI member institutions.
GADRI Secretariat
- Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Japan
Europe and Africa
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sweden
- Disaster and Development Network, Department of Geographical and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK
- Research Centre for Disaster Resilience, University of Salford, UK
Asia and Oceania
- Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
- International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Japan
- Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Thailand
Americas
- Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), Western University, Canada
- National Unit for Disaster Risk Management in Colombia (NGRD), Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres de Colombia (UNGRD), Colombia
- Institute of Geography, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
- Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, USA
A Message from the Secretary-General of GADRI
As the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI) nears its 10-year
anniversary since its inception in March 2015, I wish to share with you some of the
current initiatives of GADRI.
The 6th Global Summit of GADRI, and the Side Event to evaluate contributions to the
Sendai Mid-Term Review were held at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI),
Kyoto University, Japan in March 2023. Prior to these events, a questionnaire survey was
conducted among the members of GADRI to collect their institute contributions to the
Sendai Mid-Term Review too. Results of the survey as well as the recommendations
received from the 6th Global Summit of GADRI and the side event were submitted by the
Board of Directors of GADRI to the Sendai Mid-Term Review meeting held in May 2023.
Within the umbrellas of the GADRI Committees which are established to increase the
visibility and implementation of the five core objectives of GADRI, various initiatives
are underway to achieve the stipulated goals. To name a few, the GADRI Committee on
Networking is planning a database of the Global Disaster Researcher Directory on which
researchers engaged in the field of disaster risk reduction and resilience can register
and search for disaster researchers by keyword. GADRI Fellow and Young Researcher
Program is to be established to enhance and disseminate networking inside and outside of
GADRI. Committee on Science and Technology Roadmap intends to submit a policy brief. The
Committee on Institutional Capacity Building will continue to organize the annual
international training workshop at the National Science and Technology Center for
Disaster Reduction (NCDR), Chinese Taipei. Committee on Data and Information Sharing
will continue to work to bring about “GADRI Data Sharing, Action Data and Active Data
Base” together.
Plans are underway to organize the 7th Global Summit of GADRI at the Colorado State
University, USA in mid-March 2025.
With GADRI vision in mind, an expectation from you is your contributions to current GADRI
Committees and activities linking to your areas of research to achieve disaster risk
reduction in the real world; and to share and disseminate academic, science and
evidence-based research among members and other global stakeholders to strengthen
knowledge and mutually derived understanding.
I look forward to working together with you. Thank you for your continued support to
GADRI.
Hirokazu Tatano
Secretary-General, GADRI;
Professor and Head, Social Systems for Disaster Risk Governance,
DPRI, Kyoto University, Japan
GADRI Secretariat
Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Gokasho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- TEL +81-774-38-4651
- E-mail secretariat-gadri@dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp
- WEB http://gadri.net
