• UNITAR invites women and others, aged 18 and above, living in or from Pacific Island countries and territories or the Asia-Pacific to apply for the Japan-funded 2025 Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme.
• The programme aims to equip 100 participants with lifelong skills in disaster risk reduction and leadership. Participants will develop an inclusive disaster risk reduction plan contextualized to the needs of their communities and countries.
• Application deadline is 3 September 2025 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).

The programme consists of two phases.

Phase I Online Learning (September to November 2025): Approximately 100 participants will engage in online training to learn about inclusive disaster risk planning. Participants will complete self-paced online modules, join webinars with experts in the field, and complete assignments.

Phase II Specialized Training with Experts (March 2026): Top-performing participants from Phase I will be invited to an online training with experts, consisting of study tours, lectures, and discussions with Japanese institutions, private companies, and entrepreneurs.

By the end of each phase, participants should be able to do the following:

Phase I

• Develop basic knowledge and understanding of disaster risk reduction concepts
• Discuss key principles of disaster risk reduction, with a focus on the Sendai Framework for Action and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Understand ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction
• Outline community-based disaster risk reduction
• Develop an inclusive country disaster risk reduction plan
• Illustrate key lessons learned from Japan’s experience with natural hazards, including the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the 2018 West Japan Floods
• Illustrate the importance of gender-inclusive leadership in disaster risk reduction
• Describe lessons learned and best practices, and report on norms and challenges in women’s leadership in the Pacific and Japan

Phase II

• Describe important characteristics necessary for leadership and management
• Develop a technical understanding of hazards and assessment tools
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in disaster risk reduction and for the media
• Discuss the needs of vulnerable groups
• Develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature-based solutions, Indigenous and traditional knowledge, and local resilience
• Understand other risks, including stress and mental health

• Phase I: Prepare and submit an individual disaster risk reduction plan
• Phase II: Prepare and submit a group presentation

The programme is open to motivated people living in or from Pacific Island countries and territories or the Asia-Pacific, who are:

• An adult of 18 years or older
• Eager to learn about the leadership skills required for disaster risk reduction
• Passionate about climate change and disaster risk reduction, including its impact on communities
• Keen to succeed and make a positive impact on their communities
• Proficient in English
• Computer-literate, with access to the internet
• Committed to completing the programme

Nationals from the following countries are encouraged to participate in this programme:

Pacific Island countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu

Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam

Learn more and apply to the programme.

Application deadline is 3 September 2025 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).

Reference: Programme Flyer

CONTACT:

UNITAR Division for Prosperity, Hiroshima Office 

Email: DRR-Prosperity@unitar.org 

The UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Programme for World Tsunami Day seeks to empower professionals to help their countries and communities better prepare for, confront and recover from disasters. The programme focuses on the gender-specific capacities and vulnerabilities in communities, reflecting the all-of-society inclusive approach called for in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.