4th Brian Ward Memorial Lecture on Innovations in Climate Adaptation and Disaster Resilience
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) 
Theme
The theme of the 4th Annual Brain Ward Memorial Lecture is ‘Innovations in Climate Adaptation and Disaster Resilience’ and outlines the critical importance of disaster and climate innovations in reaching communities and people with meaningful improvements in society, measuring the outcomes and impact of ADPC’s effort for a safer world.
New technologies and changes in the social fabric provide opportunities to do things in new and better ways. Leveraging advanced technology and prioritizing a demand-driven approach to climate resilience, ADPC through its World Bank’s CARE project is offering new ground in using innovative approaches to help decision-makers better respond to a changing climate.
Keynote Speaker
The keynote speaker is Tom Mitchell, Executive Director of IIED, who is steering the overall direction and leadership of IIED’s staff, work programmes, and partnerships.
He leads on public communications, strategy development and implementation. He engages in public debate in key international events. He has a passion for finding innovative ways to unlock climate justice and is the author of the climate action strategy – Transformation, in Time.
Until September 2022 was the Chief Strategy Officer of climate-KIC and Director of Climate-KIC International Foundation. He is a former co-ordinating lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and UN Special Representative senior advisor.
Brian Ward Memorial Lectures
The Brian Ward Memorial Lecture is a series of lectures held annually to honor the memory of Brian Ward for his vision of a safer Asia and the Pacific, and his outstanding personal dedication and commitment to the field of disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
About Col. Brian Ward
Col. Brian Ward was instrumental in the establishment of ADPC in 1986 and during his time as director (1986-1992), he provided vision and insight, motivating all he worked with, but especially encouraging young professionals and seeking to enable government authorities to engage more productively in reducing possible disaster losses. He managed, taught and traveled widely, conducting numerous disaster-related technical advisory and liaison missions throughout Asia-Pacific.
Col. Brian Ward dedicated almost his entire life to the cause of disaster risk reduction. He served in the Royal Engineers Corps of the British Army for over 20 years. Upon his military retirement, he worked for more than ten years with the then League of Red Cross Societies (currently the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) as a delegate and a chief delegate in several countries of Africa and Asia.
During this period, he also undertook missions as a technical advisor to then the United Nations Disaster Relief Office (currently UNOCHA) on building disaster management capacities in countries in Asia-Pacific.
In recognition of his outstanding personal contribution to disaster reduction, Col. Brian Ward was awarded the United Nations Sasakawa Certificate of Distinction in 2001.
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About The Author
Glad we are strengthening the tradition of relevant lectures in Memory of Brian Ward, our first Director. Tom Mitchell is a worthy practitioner with deep insights into disaster resilieince and climate adaptation.
Tom, thanks for a bold and detailied account and strong advocacy for innovation, and advocating a regional approach like what the EU is doing