AWE Newsletter – June 2023

Calling all AWE Mentors!
We’re hosting an event for AWE Mentors, and those interested in becoming a mentor, to provide valuable tips, tricks, and inspiration to strengthen and refresh mentoring understanding and relationships. See below for full details.

AWE at the Natural Hazards Research Forum 2023
It was great to catch up with those many AWE members who attended the 2023 Natural Hazards Research Forum, and those who attended the AWE Networking Breakfast. A range of AWE members also shared their work at the Forum through presentations, workshops and posters, including:

• Dr Deanne Bird, Monash University
• Dr Kate Brady, University of Melbourne
• Dr Sharon Campbell, University of Tasmania
• Zoe D’Arcy, PhD candidate, RMIT University
• Angela Gardner, Emergency Management Victoria
• Dr Blythe McLennan, Natural Hazards Research Australia
• Louise Mitchell, PhD candidate, University of Sydney
• Hannah Morrice, University of Melbourne
• A/Prof Mel Taylor, Macquarie University
• Dr Briony Towers, Leadrrr

National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit
Following National Reconciliation Week, AWE is pleased to note the new National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit which will take place in Brisbane in August, bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, emergency management practitioners, and agency heads, to build awareness, share new thinking, and network, beginning the long-overdue conversation between and about Indigenous peoples’ disaster resilience.

Gender and disaster training in Perth, Hobart & Darwin: Gender and Disater Australia is offering Lessons in Disaster training packages in Perth, Hobart & Darwin over the coming months. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of health, community and emergency sectors to challenge gender stereotypes and inequalities, and to understand the relevance of family violence to disaster. 

Ambulance Women in Leadership Scholarship: The Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) is offering its 2023 CAA Women in Leadership Scholarship to encourage women to step into leadership roles and to support the further development of current women leaders in the ambulance sector. Applications close 16 June.

Why climate change matters for women: This UN Women article explains why women are at heightened risk as they are overrepresented among the poor, are highly dependent on natural resources, and are often left out of environmental decision-making. 

Women’s Resilience to Disasters Program in the Pacific: This UNDRR article article outlines a new program to strengthen the resilience of women and girls’ lives and livelihoods to disasters and threats, contributing to sustainable, secure, and thriving communities.

Rotary emergency service awards: Rotary is seeking to recognise paid and volunteer emergency service workers in the ACT, NSW and Victoria who are making a significant difference to their community through outstanding community service through its Emergency Services Community Awards. Nominations close 30 June 2023.

Small interventions in major disasters: Check out this article in The New Yorker about Lucy Easthope, one of Britain’s most experienced disaster advisers who has worked on almost every major emergency involving the deaths of British citizens since the September 11 terrorist attacks.  

NZ masterclass on animals and emergency management: The Animal Emergency Management Complexities masterclass will explore the interconnectivity of people, animals and the environment and the strategies for implementing an integrated emergency and disaster management framework.

Future Drought Fund implementation and learnings: This new report from FRRR outlines the implementation and learnings from the $4.1M Future Drought Fund program. With 87 community groups, 791 activities and 37,841 participants, the report states that the real legacy lies in the networks that were created or strengthened, and in the skills and knowledge that were gained by participants.

Strengthening disaster management through creativity: The Creative Recovery Network has released its 2023 Strategic Framework: Together We Can – a plan to strengthen disaster management through creativity. The framework articulates the Creative Recovery Network’s role as an advocate for creative practitioners across the country and the continuation of our work to embed the vital role of culture, creativity, and the arts in Australia’s resilience and disaster management systems. 

Have your say: Public Submissions are now open for the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding. The annual Climate Council Community Survey is also now open, and NEMA is conducting a survey on Australia’s progress in reducing disaster risk under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework. 

National Disaster Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework: NEMA has released its National Disaster Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework which is designed to guide how governments and recovery partners can consistently support mental health and wellbeing before, during and after disasters.

The Youth Climate Justice Handbook: This international handbook presents the best and most progressive legal arguments on climate justice, responding specifically to the questions the UN General Assembly is requesting the International Court of Justice to answer.

27-29 June         2023 Lessons Management Forum

4-5 July               Emergency Management Conference 2023 Melbourne

11-12 July           Disaster and Emergency Management Conference

21 August           National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Summit

21-25 August      National Custodians of Country Gathering 2023

22-25 August      AFAC23 & Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2023 & WAFA23

10 October         Australasian Women in Emergencies Day