07-08/07/2022 – Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 – From Risks to Resilience

Background

Floods are a common environmental hazard, often causing loss of lives, economic losses and livelihood impacts around the globe. At the same time, the recently published 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that such extreme events will further increase in both frequency and severity in the coming decades. Recent flood events (incl. those in Europe in 2021) have revealed significant gaps in (i) our understanding of the multiple risks and impacts of such extreme events, (ii) the awareness and risk perception of the population, (iii) early warning, preparedness and emergency response, (iv) risk insurance and ways how insurance and finance instruments can support building back better, (v) adaptation and transformation needs, as well as (vi) cross-border and multi-level governance. In order to meet these challenges and build societal resilience towards climate extremes, increased collaboration and exchange of experiences as well as innovative solutions are urgently needed.

Aims of the Flood Knowledge Summit 2022

The Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 will connect different actors (affected citizens; volunteers, authorities, scientists, and civil society) from the region, the European Union and the Global South to facilitate sharing experiences, dialogue and learning. By looking back and looking forward, the Knowledge Summit will identify lessons from past events and different settings, review progress made, identify remaining gaps as well as innovative and good practices, and develop actionable recommendations for research, policy and practice towards climate resilient development.

The Flood Knowledge Summit will take place on 7-8 July 2022 as a hybrid event in Maastricht, the Netherlands, with pre-events targeting youth on the days before the summit.

Objectives & Outcomes

The Flood Knowledge Summit aims to connect different actors from the region, European Union and the Global South to share experiences and lessons learned. Together, we aim to develop a long-term research agenda on climate resilience to support both the region as well as other contexts. The outcomes will also be used to inform future policy discussions.

Agenda & Programme

A detailed programme will be available online soon. The Flood Knowledge Summit will comprise keynotes, panel discussions, presentation sessions, poster sessions, and open spaces. The agenda and registration link for the pre-events which provide a dedicated programme for youth to engage will also be shared shortly.

Summit Format

The Flood Knowledge Summit will take place as a highly interactive in-person event in Maastricht, the Netherlands, with pre-events targeting youth on the days before the summit. The summit will offer ample opportunities for online engagement in order to ensure wide-ranging participation. Further details about online participation will be shared with registered participants closer to the event.

Registration & Contributions 

Registration and participation is free of costs. You can indicate your interest in attending the Flood Knowledge Summit (in-person or online) through the following pre-registration link:

Registration Link

If you would like to make a contribution to the programme of the Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 (e.g. presentation or contributing to a panel session), please feel free to contact the organisers before Friday 27 May 2022 to provide an expression of interest at: cri@merit.unu.edu.

More information