Civil protection systems in Europe are grappling with an increasing number of complex disasters and crises. In recent decades, this situation has been exacerbated by environmental degradation, climate change, demographic shifts, and geopolitical changes. The availability of highly qualified human resources is crucial for anticipating, preparing, managing, and recovering from these events. This underscores the need to establish an innovative, high-level, and tailor-made postgraduate Master’s programme on disaster risk and crisis management.
The EUMA project (Creating a EUropean Higher Education Network for MAster’s Programmes in Disaster Risk Management) has received funding from DG ECHO (European Commission) to address this gap. Managed by a consortium of seven universities and coordinated by the University of Vienna, EUMA aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of individual staff members of civil protection authorities and disaster managers in the non-profit and private sectors. To achieve this goal, various practical activities, including a series of workshops, will be organized.
The inaugural workshop of the project is scheduled for 11 and 12 April 2024 at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. It will focus on the legal and institutional aspects of cross-border humanitarian assistance. Distinguished experts will present on selected topics and then lead group discussions aimed at assessing the presentations' relevance to real-world scenarios. The outcomes of these discussions will be incorporated into the curriculum of a new postgraduate Master’s programme on disaster risk and crisis management.
The workshop is open to a maximum of 20/25 participants, with some positions reserved for members of partner institutions. The remaining participants will be selected through this competitive call for participation. Practitioners and researchers in disaster management and related fields are the primary target audience. Participants will be offered a two-night stay in Pisa. A light lunch, a social dinner, and coffee breaks will be provided during the one-and-a-half days of the workshop. Online participation will also be available.
Additional information can be found here, and here.
The agenda of the event is attached here.
How to register
Interested candidates are invited to send their updated CVs to Riccardo Luporini (riccardo1.luporini@santannapisa.it) by 20 March 2024 and specify their preference for attending in person or online. Selected applicants will be informed on a rolling basis.
