<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Dear DM Working Group colleagues <br class=""><div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div>On behalf of the co-organsing partners, it is my pleasure to share with you that the 8th edition of the Practitioners’ Workshop on <b class="">“Risk Reduction and Resilience in Asia”</b> will be held in Bangkok, Thailand during 23-25 November 2015. Since 1999, disaster risk management practitioners in Asia have gathered every two years with the objectives of sharing, learning, stocktaking and consolidating good practice and networking focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Each meeting is organised around a central theme, which is seen as crucial in bringing the DRR agenda forward and contributing to national, regional and international DRR frameworks. The past meetings gathered between 100-300 practitioners’ from across the development and humanitarian sectors, and various other institutions including regional entities, UN agencies, NGOs, Red Cross/Crescent Movement, CSOs, Academia, Think-Tanks, etc.). Technical experts from relevant government agencies have also attended the previous workshops.<br class=""><br class="">The 8th Practitioners’ Workshop is organised jointly by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with technical and resource support from the European Commission, Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). <br class=""><br class=""><div class="">In order to maintain the momentum generated by the recently convened 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) held in Sendai and to ensure that early achievements will be adequately reported, the 8th Practitioners’ Workshop will provide an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on the outcomes of the 3rd WCDRR. The meeting is tailored towards technical discussions and translating the Sendai commitments into practice (i.e., ‘making it work on the ground’). During the 3 days of proactive discussions, we would focus on the following four key themes:<br class=""><ol class=""><li class="">Enhancing Community Resilience</li><li class="">Expanding Preparedness for Response</li><li class="">Innovation and Risk-Informed Development</li><li class="">Mainstreaming DRR Within and Across Sectors – Focusing on Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods</li></ol>The outcomes are intended to contribute to the ongoing discussions on SFDRR implementation and shaping the agenda for the next regional and global conferences on DRR. Further details are provided in the concept note.<br class=""><br class=""><div class="">The co-organsing partners have recommended that your participation would be highly beneficial in consolidating our mutual initiatives on disaster risk reduction in Asia</div><div class=""><br class=""></div>Upon hearing from you, a formal invitation letter will be sent. There is a possibility of partial/full coverage of participation cost depending on the confirmation and availability of budget. <span lang="EN-GB" class="">Please send a line of confirmation to <b class="">Ms. Mareike Bentfeld</b> via email to </span><span lang="EN-GB" class=""><a href="mailto:mareike@adpc.net" class="">mareike@adpc.net</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" class=""> at your earliest. </span> </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">In addition, we look forward to your suggestions on the following; </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">a. Suggestions to improve the conduct of workshop to a meaningful outcome. </div><div class="">b. Recommend key practitioners from the DM Working Group. We will invite them to participate and contribute. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">With Regards </div><div class="">Aslam Perwaiz</div><div class="">Head, DRMS</div><div class="">Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>