Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarinthip Tanthani, Acting President of Naresuan University, has forged a collaborative partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), drawing on the combined efforts of Naresuan University’s SECRA and FOUNTAIN projects, supported by the ERASMUS+ program of the European Union, as well as the Thai Disaster Resilience Development Network (TNDR). This collaboration served as a crucial facilitator in the workshop project, titled “Integration towards Building Resilient Cities (MCR2030),” aligning with the guidelines of the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Office for sustainable disaster risk reduction. The event took place on September 1, 2023, at Chulamanee Meeting Room 1 in the Phitsanulok Municipality Office, located in Phitsanulok Province.
This initiative catered to executives from government agencies and Phitsanulok Municipality employees, with the honorable presence of Mrs. Premruedee Champoon, the Mayor of Phitsanulok City, presiding over the opening ceremony.
The proceedings commenced with a keynote address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarinthip Tanthani, the Acting President of Naresuan University, who expounded on “The Role of Cooperation between Academic Institutions and Urban Development in the Pursuit of Sustainable Risk-Reducing Cities.” Dr. Phichit Rattakul, Chairman of the Thai Disaster Strengthening Development Network, followed with a presentation on “Network of Disaster Academics Supporting Urban Development to Prepare for Sustainable Disaster Response.”
The event encompassed an array of activities aimed at fortifying the resilience of Phitsanulok City Municipality. Among these was a workshop that delved into “Concepts and Key Principles for Building Resilient Cities (MCR 2030), along with Insights and Outcomes from Diverse Resilient City Projects.” This session was skillfully led by Ms. Sunisa Sudrak, representing the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), along with a panel of facilitators.
Another crucial workshop group activity involved the “Analysis of Current Status and Integration of Local Sector Operations in the Development of a Comprehensive Resilient City.” This insightful session was guided by Dr. Thayukorn Phra Bamrung, Director of the Climate Change Research Operations Unit for Mitigation and Adaptation (CMARE) within the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahasarakham University. Supporting the session were Professor Thanawat Kwanboon and Dr. Orawan Sirisawat Apichayakul from Naresuan University.
The agenda also featured a workshop group activity focused on the “Preliminary Assessment of Disaster Risk Reduction in Cities using the Disaster Resilience Scorecard, coupled with the Formulation of Operational Plans for Building a Resilient City at the Local Sector Level.” This session aimed to harness insights from speakers and reflect on the lessons learned in the process of developing a holistic resilient city. This collaborative effort is envisioned to bolster the resilience of Phitsanulok Municipality and to establish a network of educational institutions as mentors in the quest to create a resilient city (City Resilience) committed to sustainable disaster risk reduction.
