An online course for young people to develop a stronger understanding of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience.
On the 15th anniversary year of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the Youth Leaders for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 Online Course offers an opportunity for young leaders to learn from Japan’s experiences and from disaster experiences across the Asia-Pacific region.
Through the course, participants will develop a stronger understanding of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience. Through interactive online learning, engagement with global experts and exchanges with peers from across the region, participants will explore lessons from past disasters and consider how young people can contribute to building safer and more resilient communities.
The online course will run from 1 to 30 September 2026. It is open to young people aged 14 to 25 from participating countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will work on self-paced online modules on their smartphones, tablets or computers, join live webinars with experts, and engage with each other through an online youth community platform.
This programme is offered free of charge thanks to the generous support of the Government and the People of Japan.
Programme Snapshot
Learning Objectives
Through the course, participants will gain:
- Foundational knowledge about disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Insights from experts and real-world disaster case studies
- Access to an online youth community for networking and peer exchange
Course content
Week 1: Understanding Disaster Risk Reduction
Introduction to disaster risk reduction, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Week 2: Learning from Japan’s Experience
Lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Week 3: Learning from Disasters Across the Asia-Pacific
Regional case studies, climate change and DRR and the role of youth
Week 4: Preparing for Future Disasters
“Leave No One Behind”, community resilience and “Build Back Better”
Participants will learn from case studies, virtual learning activities, short videos, interactive quizzes and practical examples from Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Participating Countries
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Contact Us
Email: tsunami-youth@unitar.org