Rob Mitchell

Many engineers have an interest in applying their skills and knowledge in support of humanitarian undertakings. It can be a challenge, however, to discover how to become involved, the nature of competencies and knowledge concerned, and the active organisations, institutions, and individuals with whom useful contact could be made. Participating in this webinar will help to answer the following questions: · Is it for me? · What could I do? · Which organisations, institutions and individuals are active in this field? · How can I engage with them? · What may be my next steps

WEBINAR Bushfires: Response, Recovery, Preparedness - The Engineer The 2019/20 black summer was one of the worst in recent times in the world. The season started in early September 2019 in Queensland and gradually progressed into New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Thousands of firefighters and volunteers battled the fires, with millions of hectares burned, thousands of properties damaged, and countless numbers of wildlife exposed. In February 2020, the last fires were extinguished, with torrential rain assisting in putting out the remaining fires. Affected communities are recovering, COVID-19 has since caused further widespread disruption. On 20 August 2020 fires were again burning in Northern New South Wales, with record heat building in North West Australia. Yet it seems that a potential La-Nina event may yet save us from the worst of 2020, and now there may be too much water. Will we forget what happened less than one year ago as rains fall, and the fields are green? The National Disaster Risk Reduction framework emphasises the need for a shift in thinking about natural hazards and disaster impacts: “that disaster risk is a product of the effect of hazard (a sudden event or shock), impacting on (people and things) and the ability for those people and assets and systems to survive and adapt”. The interconnected and cascading effects of systemic disaster risk’ means that vulnerability to disasters is inevitable and causes and effects, are both complex and interconnected throughout society. So what role is there for engineers in disaster risk reduction. Some engineers will say we are implicit in disaster reconstruction and that recovery relies on the efforts of engineers. Perhaps those engineers will be alarmed to know that engineering as a profession does not engage in the national discussions on resilience. The newly formed Humanitarian Engineering Community of Practice within the College of Leadership of Management intends to champion engineering efforts in disasters as a subset of humanitarian endeavour. The Risk Technical Society has long championed disaster risk reduction within UN frameworks. Engineers need to be engaged in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Key takeaways 1. Will we forget lessons and create further vulnerability for communities? 2. Will we learn the lessons of 2019/20 if there is substantial rain in late 2020? 3. What is investment in preparedness and what is the role for engineers in disaster preparedness? About the Speakers Craig Lapsley, Innovation Pro, Chief Executive Craig Lapsley, PSM, is recognised as one of the world’s most experienced and creditable emergency management/public safety leaders with more than 35 years’ experience as a change maker who understands communities and complex problems. As Chief Executive of Innovation Pro Pty Ltd, Craig works across the world and Australia championing collaboration, community-centred outcomes and strategic leadership focusing on key global future drivers including climate change and resilience building. Craig was appointed as Victoria’s first Fire Services Commissioner in 2010 and then Emergency Commissioner. Renae Hanvin, Corporate2community, Founder Renae Hanvin is the founder of corporate2community, a purpose led business focused on building a nation of disaster resilience. Known for ‘doing disasters differently’, Renae advocates and activates greater private sector contribution before, during and after all-hazards disasters. Renae’s forward thinking, multi-stakeholder and strategic approaches shape solutions to provide pathways for the private sector and government to collaborate and co-design outcomes that benefit communities, businesses and governments.

Web event

Web event

Web event

Web event

Webinar - Delivering Humanitarian Engineering in a COVID-19 World Speakers - Eleanor Loudon (Engineers Without Borders) and Kirsten Sayers (RedR Australia) Synopsis Delivering humanitarian undertakings is challenging at the best of times. The turbulent, often chaotic context arising from a global pandemic makes the challenge even greater. The strength of fundamental principles is tested, lessons are learnt and strategic priorities clarified. Our speakers address these issue from the perspective of their particular organisations. Takeaways. Key Takeaways • Understanding the complexity of operating context is critical. • Adapting to turbulence is a necessary capability for practitioners and organisations. • Developing competencies of practitioners to handle these challenges is important. • Sharing knowledge and experience will be beneficial for the development of the Humanitarian Engineering discipline. About the speakers Eleanor Loudon - As the CEO of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Australia, Eleanor leads a team of more than 30 staff and hundreds of volunteers to implement a strategy that is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals. Her leadership enables engineering program teams in Australia, Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu to deliver technology, designed with communities to support their plans for better health, livelihoods and shelter. EWB also supports the education, training and mobilisation of values-driven engineers to deliver technology that benefits all, so that one day EWB is no longer needed. Her vision is that all engineers will be designing for community and sustainability first, and that the profession is leading on Australia’s commitment to the SDGs, Paris Targets and to our First Nations people. Kirsten Sayers - Former lawyer and diplomat, Kirsten Sayers, is CEO of international humanitarian response agency, RedR Australia. RedR Australia is the only United Nations Standby Partner in the Southern Hemisphere and Asia Pacific and is the sole delivery partner of the Australia Government’s civilian humanitarian deployment program, Australia Assists. Kirsten has previously held senior diplomatic and commercial appointments in Paris, Bangkok and Taipei. She was Australia’s Chief Negotiator and Delegation Leader to the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) Women Leaders’ Network meeting and APEC Gender Focal Point Network in 2009, and managed Australia’s delegation to the APEC CEO Summit the same year.

Zoom meeting (AEST) to monitor progress

Meeting Via Zoom

To monitor progress in video preparation

To discuss launch early March, and later events

Steering Committee progress

Steering Committee progress

To discuss March launch

To discuss WEC outcomes

To discuss progress