More than a checkbox: engaging youth in disaster risk reduction and resilience in Canada

Robin S. Cox (), Tiffany T. Hill, Tamara Plush, Cheryl Heykoop and Crystal Tremblay
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Robin S. Cox: Royal Roads University
Tiffany T. Hill: Royal Roads University
Tamara Plush: Royal Roads University
Cheryl Heykoop: Royal Roads University
Crystal Tremblay: University of Victoria

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2019, vol. 98, issue 1, No 13, 213-227

Abstract: Abstract As the risks and costs associated with disasters and climate change escalate, international, national, and regional governments are searching for ways to increase citizen engagement, as well as develop innovations and investments to reduce disaster risks and enhance climate change adaptation. As a signatory to the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR), Canada has committed to a whole of society approach to DRR that includes engaging youth as credible stakeholders. Historically, in the context of disasters, young people (children and youth) have more often been framed one-dimensionally as a population at high risk of experiencing negative impacts during disasters, and, therefore, a population in need of protection. However, youth have more recently been recognized as having potential as change agents in their communities and stakeholders in the development and implementation of DRR policies and practices (Cox et al. in Int J Disaster Risk Reduct 22:249–356, 2017). As the first digitally native generation, youth today are equipped with unprecedented technological savvy, an entrepreneurial orientation, and confidence in their ability to change the world. From this perspective, youth, aged 15–24, stand poised as a significant capacity multiplier in Canada’s efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with disasters and climate change. This paper explores the current state of youth engagement in DRR in Canada and opportunities for extending and deepening that engagement.

Keywords: Youth and disasters; Youth engagement; Disaster risk reduction; Disaster resilience; Climate change; Disasters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-018-3509-3

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