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| Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol and other disaster risk reduction stakeholders gather together in the 5th World Tsunami Museum Conference to champion the importance of localized, youth-led disaster risk management. (Photo by: PIA-NCR) |
by: Janna Marie Pineda
PASAY CITY, (PIA) — Disaster risk reduction stakeholders from around the world have gathered at the 5th World Tsunami Museum Conference (WTMC5), which took center stage during the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).
The WTMC5, anchored on the theme “Empowering the Next Generation–Roles of Disaster Museums for a Resilient Future,” aims to preserve the lessons learned from past disasters, particularly tsunamis, by discussing experiences and best practices in order to instill a culture of disaster preparedness among the youth.
The conference is built upon a network of existing disaster-related museum facilities featuring images of damage caused by tsunami and other disasters. It also includes records of effective discussions and collaborations, creating international concern on the threats of disasters and the need for disaster risk reduction.
In his message during the opening ceremony of the WTMC5, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya highlighted the strong potential of the youth in becoming active advocates for disaster risk reduction based on their capacity to enable meaningful community-based action.
“The opportunities to educate and empower children in disaster risk reduction are crucial, enabling them to protect themselves and become agents of a resilient future in their families and communities,” said Kazuya.
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| Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya graces the 5th World Tsunami Museum Conference (WTMC5). (Photo by: PIA-NCR) |
Meanwhile, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said museums can provide powerful reminders that communities can recover from calamities, offering hope and inspiration to people experiencing or anticipating similar challenges.
“Disaster memories are like a lighthouse–its light does not prevent the storm but it guides us through the darkness when it comes again,” Bacolcol said, adding that: “Preserving the memory of disasters can help new generations navigate and prepare for similar events. Records of the past can help children and youth understand the patterns and impulse associated with such events, enabling them to imagine and anticipate the risks they will face in the future.”
The museums from Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan participating in the WTMC5 shared activities offered to visitors. These integrate stories of disaster survivors, educational resources, scenario-specific simulation, and memorial space in an immersive experience.
A group of students from Sendai City in Japan also shared the outcomes of their research on select disaster museums in the world, which is aimed at developing a youth-friendly guidebook on “Bosai.’’ This refers to a holistic, evidence-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management on a global scale.
The World Tsunami Museum Conference (WTMC) is organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) with help from the Japan government. It is in line with the establishment of the “World Tsunami Awareness Day” commemorated every November 5, and is anchored on critical discourses on key challenges and actionable insights that effectively pass on to future generations the lessons learned from devastating impacts of disasters.
The inclusion of the museum conference in the 2024 APMCDRR is in accordance with the thematic pillar on the localization of rural and urban disaster resilience. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
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