Be Prepared: Canada engages youth in disaster resilience
“Youth bring a citizen voice that is unique based on their age and perspective. They have capabilities that are underutilized. They’re often catalysts for change, they’re more prone to want to invest in positive social change, because that’s their future”
The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP), a federal program led by Defense Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS), in partnership with Public Safety Canada, supported the project by funding various deliverables, such as work done in the ResilienceByDesign (RbD) research lab. Public Safety Canada also provided support during the scoping phase of the project and during the review of the deliverables.The researchers at the RbD research lab have been engaging with disaster-affected youth from Southern Alberta to explore and contribute to disaster risk reduction, climate action, and community resilience.
The ARC project’s focus here in Canada aligns with the goals emphasized by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was adopted at the third United Nations (UN) World Conference in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015. Members of the RbD participated and contributed in Sendai, and continue to work with international partners and collaborators who are also invested in the ways youth can help in disaster resilience and climate change adaptation.
In a series of “learning labs,” youth have been developing skills in community research, design thinking and visual storytelling. In the process, they have been generating data, broadening understanding, and developing new ideas to address social-environmental problems. Funding from the CSSP also supported the development of the Resilience Innovation Skills Certificate, which is a youth-centered learning process that builds knowledge and mental capacity for social innovation and resilience.
As noted in the project’s final report, research shows that younger people can demonstrate exceptional resilience in the face of disasters. They are creative, motivated, and interested in how they can become resilient themselves and contribute to building resilient families and communities.
“Youth bring a citizen voice that is unique based on their age and perspective. They have capabilities that are underutilized. They’re often catalysts for change, they’re more prone to want to invest in positive social change, because that’s their future,” adds Dr. Robin Cox.
As part of the CSSP-funded activities of the project, social media was used to help recruit young participants, who then answered a few questions about demographics and their extent of disaster exposure, to ensure the study would include a wide variety of people. The eight learning labs are designed to engage youth in the design and testing of methods and practices that promote disaster resilience. From data collection and brainstorming to the creation of solutions and policy outreach, the youth are engaged in every aspect of the process.
The labs involved the participants in community action research, the world of design thinking, generating data, digital storytelling and analysis, and even working on creating prototype solutions to improve community disaster resilience.
After completing these labs, youth will meet with local community organizations, youth groups, researchers, industry, or other stakeholders to pitch ideas for community resilience projects. “They will be able to use their new skills to develop innovative approaches to complex social challenges,” DRDC-RDDC says. “The ultimate goal is for the youth to implement these projects in their communities and participate in the evaluation and assessment of their impacts.”
