Page 15 - DIVA_1_2016

INTERNATIONAL

Message from Dr Vladimir Kuvshinov
Secretary-General of the International Civil Defence Organisation

On the Occasion of the World Civil Defence Day (1 March 2016)

Civil Defence

and the new information technologies

Dear friends and colleagues,
The economic cost of natural catastrophes and man-made dis-
asters worldwide has increased immensely in recent years. The
adoption of new technologies has therefore come to play a vital
role in the mitigation and prevention of disasters. This is why
the theme for this year's World Civil Defence Day celebration
is: "Civil Defence and the new information technologies'
Coping with disasters - whether natural or attributable to hu-
man activity - is one of the greatest challenges of science and
technology today. Progress in these fields has made it possible
over the past years to introduce significant changes in the in-
tegrated approach to the problematics of disasters. Reduction
of disasters is possible if science and technologies are properly "Without modern science and
applied. While we cannot prevent an earthquake or a hurricane technology there can be no world safe
from occurring, we can apply scientific knowledge and techni- from natural disasters. Thanks to
cal know-how to reduce the consequences. science and technology, we will be
The International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) has al- able to avoid or reduce many natural
ways done its best to promote the implementation of new in- and man-made disasters."
formation technologies to better combat and prevent disasters.
We are currently in the process of developing new modern Without modern science and technology there can be no world
mechanisms involving information technology to help us bet- safe from natural disasters. Thanks to science and technology,
ter prepare professional workers in the field of civil defence. we will be able to avoid or reduce many natural and man-made
The ICDO is also creating a global network of civil defence acad- disasters. Success in significantly reducing disasters is within
emies which will permit us to exchange information and more our reach. Now is the time to act!
fully apply existing knowledge in order to better combat disas- Today we are not only thinking of the future but also remem-
ters. Thanks to this scientific network we will also be able to im- bering those who have died in the course of duty I would also
plement our programme of distance-learning courses online. like to pay tribute to Dr. Jean-Pierre Nana, President of the
Effective disaster response includes the dissemination of time- ICDO General Assembly, who recently passed away and who
ly information and early warning of potential hazards. This is made a great contribution in recent decades towards strength-
why the ICDO has recently established programmes to devel- ening the capacities of the ICDO.
op and deploy information and communication technologies This year we are not only celebrating World Civil Defence Day
(ICTs), geographic information systems, and remote sensing but we are also commemorating the 85th anniversary of our
and satellite data. In June 2015, an International Monitoring organization. The ICDO has come a long way from its begin-
and Coordination Centre (IMCC) was opened at the ICDO nings in 1931 as the small "Association des Lieux de Genève" or
headquarters in Geneva. This represented a first step towards "Geneva Zones Association" to the current International Civil
the creation of a management information system, which will Defence Organisation - a large and united family comprising
become the basis for establishing an international network of 74 members!
related centres under the auspices of the ICDO to combat di- On the eve of World Civil Defence Day, I would like to express
sasters. my warmest greetings and gratitude to the veterans of all ranks
Scientific and technological solutions to the complex problems of civil defence, civil protection and emergency services.
presented by disasters must be rooted in social realities in the Finally on this important occasion, I would like to wish the
fullest sense of the term. We must implement the new technol- best of luck to the personnel of civil protection, civil defence
ogies in a such way as to benefit the largest possible segments and emergency services throughout the world. Thank you for
of the civilian population, in particular women, children, the your courage and determination, and for being ever ready to
disabled and elderly. help others who find themselves in difficult situations.
INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT - DIVA 13