EUMA-Project

The University of Bonn attends the final specialised Workshop in Tallin

Dr. Rainer Bell and Everjoy Chiimba attended the final thematic EUMA workshop, hosted by the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences from 30 June to 1 July in Tallinn. The event brought together experts from across Europe to discuss geopolitical and security issues in risk management.

Read more about the workshop on the EU Civil Protection Knowledge Network page.

EUMA Partner Dublin City University hosts fifth specialised Workshop in Ireland

From 10-11 April 2025, Dublin City University hosted a workshop titled "Anticipate & Secure: Enhancing Resilience Through Effective Business Continuity Management". Bringing together practitioners and academics, including University of Bonn’s EUMA representative Everjoy Chiimba online, both theoretical foundation and frameworks, as well as case studies and exercises, piloted a potential new module for the EUMA Masters. Within the topic of business continuity management, strategies and implementation, groups have discussed key takeaways, applications, and opportunities for further learning. The event concluded with a sense of shared purpose and strengthened professional networks, with participants leaving better equipped to embed business continuity thinking into their own contexts.

University of Bonn welcomes over 30 participants for inaugural EUMA Winter School

From 6-10 January 2025, the University of Bonn hosted week-long Winter School: “From Single Hazards to Multi-Hazards and Systemic Risks: Scientific, Operational and Communication Perspectives”. Led by Prof. Lothar Schrott, Dr. Rainer Bell, Everjoy Chiimba and Marie Weil, the Bonn team brought together practitioners and academics from 12 different countries to discuss key topics in risk management. 

Different experts shared their knowledge through presentations and hands on exercises across diverse areas of disaster risk management (DRM), including climate change and risk landscapes, disaster management, systemic risks, risk communication, and legal and policy frameworks in DRM. A special thank you to Prof. Dr. Christian Huggel, Prof. Dr. Lothar Schrott, Dr. Dr. Philipp Marr, Prof. Dr. Emanuele Sommario, Prof. Dr. Cees van Westen, Dr. Rémy Bossu, Stijn Vermoote, Dr. Petra Dickmann, Dr. Anette Fath-Lihic, Andreas Hermanns, Pieter Wynant, Jochen Stein, Bastian Druschinski, Dr. Benni Thiebes, Dr. Peter Billing and Dr. Michael Hagenlocher!

A highlight of the Winter School was an excursion to the Ahr valley, led by Dr. Rainer Bell and Prof. Lothar Schrott. This provided participants with a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating 2021 floods. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with Cornelia Weigand, the District Administrator of Ahrweiler, who shared her experiences and perspectives on the 2021 floods. The day in the Ahr valley concluded with a presentation at the Federal Academy of Civil Protection and Civil Defence (BABZ) on innovative disaster management education and a presentation on the extreme 2021 floods in Belgium given by Pieter Wynant, enabling the comparison of the flood consequences in both countries.

The Winter School concluded with a panel discussion exploring the future of postgraduate education for disaster managers. Panellists highlighted core desirable and essential skills and knowledge for future disaster managers. 

The presence of representatives from Bonn Fire Services, Joint Reporting and Situation Centre (GMLZ), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the EU Commission, United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), and German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) demonstrates the strong DRM network in Bonn. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Stefan Lock, Head of the EU Commission in Bonn for hosting the welcome reception, and to Dr. René Funk, Vice President, Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster (BBK) for his inspiring address at the social dinner held at UNU. Special appreciation also goes to the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO) for their support of the EUMA project and the Winter School.

Overall, the outcomes of the Winter School will significantly contribute to shaping the curriculum of the forthcoming EUropean MAsters on Disaster Management (EUMA) programme.

Take a look at this short video to see the highlights of the Winter School.

University of Bonn hosts EUMA Stakeholder Workshop

We hosted a successful hybrid Kick-off Stakeholder Meeting on June 3rd 2024. The workshop brought together key local and international stakeholders to share their invaluable knowledge and experience, focusing on the needs and demands for the education of future disaster managers. Led by Prof. Lothar Schrott and Dr. Rainer Bell and supported by Everjoy Chiimba, Marie Weil and Christina Páez Maletz, the workshop was filled with lively discussions, including a comprehensive SWOT analysis on the current educational landscape of disaster managers. Participants also assessed essential and desirable skills for a (future) disaster risk manager. The results of the Kick-off meeting will contribute to the development of the EUMA curriculum.

EUMA Kick-Off Meeting 01-02 February 2024, Vienna

Prof. Lothar Schrott represented the University of Bonn as one of seven delegates from partner institutions (Vienna, Bonn, Pisa, Alès, Enschede, Tallinn, and Dublin) at the EUMA kick-off meeting in Vienna. Also in attendance were members of the Scientific Advisory Board to the European Union’s Civil Protection Knowledge Network. During the meeting, the project background, objectives, and expectations were presented, along with a brief introduction to the European Union’s Civil Protection Knowledge Network. Also, plans for collaborative workshops, summer schools, and practical initiatives were agreed upon as key building blocks in the development of a EUropean MAster’s in disaster risk management. Visit the EUMA Website for more information.