Nominate civil society speakers and attendees for the 2015 World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction Dear Colleagues, At the request of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) is conducting an open process to obtain nominations for a select number of civil society speakers and participants in the official segments of the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), which will take place 14-18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan. This process seeks nominations for 2 speakers in high-level multi-stakeholder partnership dialogues, and 5 participants in Ministerial round table discussions. Travel funding for a total of 23 civil society representatives is available through this process. The objectives of the World Conference are: 1. To complete assessment and review of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; 2. To consider the experience gained through the regional and national strategies/institutions and plans for disaster risk reduction and their recommendations as well as relevant regional agreements within the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action; 3. To adopt a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction; 4. To identify modalities of cooperation based on commitments to implement a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction; 5. To determine modalities to periodically review the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Anyone can nominate representatives of civil society organizations via this process. Please read this entire email if you will participate in this process, as it has a few steps and specific requirements. Kindly note: this nomination process is not open to candidates of the corporate private sector. UNISDR also welcomes online inputs to the working sessions and voluntary commitments on the subjects to be discussed in the WCDRR programme. Contributions may be entered here: http://www.wcdrr.org/engage

A. Submit nominations for the following civil society roles in the WCDRR All of the following civil society roles in the WCDRR will receive travel funding from UNISDR. All candidates must be representatives of civil society organizations and have a proven track record of effective advocacy or implementation of solutions for disaster risk reduction. Candidates for speaking 1

roles must have proven strong public speaking skills, and expertise in the subject of the session for which they are nominated. Familiarity with the Hyogo Framework for Action is highly desirable. 1. One speaker in the High-level Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Dialogue on "Mobilizing Women's Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction" This session will explore how the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction can be utilized to expand and strengthen opportunities, and make full use of the leadership of women in disaster risk reduction. The session will look at social, institutional, economic capacity and public awareness aspects. Submit a nomination for this role here. 2. One speaker in the High-level Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Dialogue on "Inclusive Disaster Risk Management: Governments, Communities and Groups Acting Together" This session will identify specific suggestions to promote effective and inclusive approaches for the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Submit a nomination for this role here. 3. One participant in the Ministerial roundtable discussion on "International Cooperation and Global Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction" The session will discuss international cooperation and global partnership modalities to support countries with technical assistance and capacity-building in a post 2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Submit a nomination for this role here. 4. One participant in the Ministerial roundtable discussion on "Reducing Disaster Risk in Urban Settings" A major focus of the session will be on implementation mechanisms to address urban risk reduction and resilience and on aligning urban agendas with the disaster risk reduction, sustainable development goals, climate change and humanitarian agendas. The session will also make the economic case for risk reduction in urban areas, for inclusion into budgets, plans and investment decisions of national and local governments. Submit a nomination for this role here. 5. One participant in the Ministerial roundtable discussion on "Reconstructing after Disasters: Build Back Better" Case studies and good practices on "build back better" in selected countries will identify the gaps and help other countries to determine the best approach to reconstruction and recovery. The aim is to ensure communities are more resilient in disaster affected areas. Steps for achieving resilient recovery and sustainable development will also be identified. Submit a nomination for this role here.

2

6. One participant in the Ministerial roundtable discussion on "Public Investment in Disaster Risk Reduction" The roundtable will highlight the long-term benefits of public investment and what measures are required to increase budgetary allocations to support and ensure the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Submit a nomination for this role here. 7. One participant in the Ministerial roundtable discussion on "Governing Disaster Risk: Overcoming Challenges" The session will outline some of the best experiences of governance approaches as possible future governance models to implement a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Submit a nomination for this role here. 8. Additional civil society attendees to receive travel funding Travel funding is available for a total of 23 civil society participants. After it is determined how many of the above selected participants require travel funding, the remainder of travel funding will be allocated to additional civil society candidates. These attendees will not have speaking roles in the WCDRR programme, but must have a proven track record of effective advocacy or implementation of solutions for disaster risk reduction. The selection process will ensure regional and gender balance, and diversity of expertise. Submit a nomination for this role here. All nominations will automatically load into a google doc spreadsheet, published here. Before submitting a nominee, please confirm the nominee: • • • • • •

is a representative of a civil society organization, and officially authorized by their organization/network to speak on the organization/network’s behalf. has a proven track record of effective advocacy or implementation of community based solutions for disaster risk reduction. has excellent competency with disaster risk reduction issues, experience with presenting disaster risk reduction issues in public fora, and demonstrated ability to engage constructively with a variety of stakeholders. for a speaking role: is a compelling public speaker (the online nomination form requests links to writing samples or remarks delivered at speaking engagements). is available to be in Sendai, Japan from 14-18 March 2015. has a visa for travel to Japan, or is able to obtain one within one month for travel to Japan.

B. Apply for the civil society Selection Committee A civil society Selection Committee will be facilitated by UN-NGLS to evaluate all nominees and determine a short-list of 30 candidates for the roles outlined above in Section A. The final selection of speakers and participants in the Ministerial roundtables will be made by the Conference Secretariat (UNISDR).

3

The final selection of remaining travel grants will be made by the civil society Selection Committee. To learn more about the Selection Committee, and to apply to be a member, please click here. Please note that members of the Selection Committee cannot be considered for the civil society roles in the WCDRR to be filled through this process.

C. Timeline for participation in the nomination process Friday, 26 December: Deadline for applications to participate in the civil society Selection Committee Friday, 2 January: Deadline for submission of civil society speaker nominations Wednesday, 7 January, 8:00-10:00am EST: Selection Committee conference call #1 Thursday, 8 January, 8:00-10:00am EST: Selection Committee conference call #2 Friday, 9 January, 8:00-10:00am EST: Selection Committee conference call #3

D. Visa arrangements UNISDR will provide an invitation letter for the selected civil society speakers and attendees. These participants will be responsible for obtaining their visas for travel. Please confirm that the Japanese Embassy/consulate in the home country of a candidate will be able to issue a visa for their travel to Japan within one month. We look forward to receiving your submissions. Thank you and best regards, UN-NGLS

4