Monash Data & Democracy Research Hub Participated in The ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management 2024 in Singapore
Source: Facebook AHA Centre
Singapore – The ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management (SPDDM) 2024, held in Singapore on 22-23 August 2-24, focused on the theme "It Takes a Village: Inclusive Approaches to Enhance Disaster Resilience." The SPDDM is an annual strategic flagship event of the disaster management sector hosted by Singapore since 2015 and co-organised by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre).
This event emphasized the critical role of local communities in fostering disaster resilience and highlighted the importance of grassroots efforts in building sustainable recovery strategies across ASEAN. The message was clear: no single entity can build resilience alone. Collaboration among communities, governments, and the use of technology is essential to addressing the challenges posed by frequent and complex natural disasters.
As a representative of the Monash Data and Democracy Research Hub, Dr Nazirul Hazim A. Khalim had the opportunity to engage in discussions on how data science and advanced analytics can empower local communities in disaster-prone areas. The SPDDM 2024 offered a valuable platform to demonstrate how data-led insights can drive inclusive, community-centered solutions, helping governments and local organizations respond effectively to natural disasters.
The dialogue reinforced ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening disaster resilience through community-driven approaches. It aimed to align regional disaster management efforts with global frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The session explored how local and regional stakeholders can enhance resilience by engaging vulnerable communities.
Local Insights for Global Impact: Data-Driven Research as the Future of Disaster Resilience
Source: ahacentre.org/news/spddm-2024/
A key feature of SPDDM 2024 was a panel discussion titled "Local Insights for Global Impact: Zooming in on Community-Led Disaster Solutions." It focused on empowering local communities to play a central role in disaster preparedness and recovery by leveraging their knowledge and resources. Key takeaways included the need to learn from local communities and recognizing that disaster resilience cannot be achieved solely through top-down strategies.
Dr. Nazirul Hazim A. Khalim, a member of MDDRH, represents the hub at this event
SPDDM 2024 not only highlighted the importance of grassroots efforts but also underscored the vital role of technology and data-driven research in building long-term disaster resilience. This perspective complements the Monash Data and Democracy Research Hub's work on understanding the challenges and opportunities that data presents for democratic societies, particularly in how data-driven insights can be used to empower local communities and inform policy decisions. As ASEAN continues to prioritize disaster preparedness, the contributions of institutions like Monash University will be essential in shaping the future of sustainable, data-driven disaster management across the region.