Disaster Management Course for Civil Affairs Officials of Beijing (21-27 August 2001)

From 21-27 August, a delegation comprised of 20 Beijing Civil Affairs Officials led by Mr. Guo Bo-xiang, Deputy Director of Beijing Organization of Receiving Donation, attended a training course on disaster management at ADPC. It was the third course ADPC conducted for China this year and also the third for Beijing Bureau of Civil Affairs during the past two years.

To reinforce the support from Thai Government to ADPC’s cooperation activities with China in the Disaster Management field, Professor Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office as well as Chairman of the ADPC Board of Trustees, was invited again as chief guest in the opening ceremony. In his address, he encouraged the participants to try their best to study the course and perform actively in the class in order to learn as much as possible on disaster management. Col. Brian Ward, Director Emeritus of ADPC, made his presence and welcomed the participants on behalf of Executive Director Dr. Suvit Yodmani. Ms. Zenaida Delica, Director Training and Education Division said at the opening ceremony that ADPC is pleased to continue to serve the government of China by building the capacity of their staff in effective disaster management.

The course was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants on pre, during, and post disaster-phase-management strategies and activities. Topics like risk assessment, mitigation, preparedness, warning system, public awareness, damage assessment and needs analysis and relief and recovery were discussed during the five days of course. A number of teaching methods such as interactive lecture, workshops, group discussion and individual presentations were used. The participants found the training methodology very effective and interesting.

In the closing ceremony, Col. Brian and Ms. Zenaida congratulated the participants for completing the course and appreciated their active participation. Mr. Guo Bo-xiang thanked ADPC, on behalf of the participants, for offering the excellent course. The delegation presented souvenirs to ADPC. Mr. Guo cited a verse from a well-known poet of the Tang Dynasty to describe the friendship established in such a short time between ADPC and Beijing Civil Affairs Officials, “difficult to meet and difficult to leave”. Finally, Col. Ward and Ms. Zenaida presented certificates to the participants.

Click here for pictorial report on the course.