Background
Disasters are changing in frequency, intensity and nature, challenging the capacities of traditional crisis response actors. Elected officials and civil security professionals feel the need to rethink their practices in the face of a changing world. During major crises, unprepared populations spontaneously develop mutual aid mechanisms, as the COVID-19 pandemic or other recent disasters (floods, fires, hurricanes) have shown. However, professional relief workers rarely exploit this potential, thus risking weakening these local dynamics.
Groupe URD is conducting an operational research project based on a series of case studies in France and abroad (exceptional storm in the Roya Valley, reception of migrants in Briançon, armed conflict in Ukraine, etc.), supplemented by a literature review and webinars, in order to examine these spontaneous mutual aid mechanisms, their influencing factors and their evolution according to the context and the timing of the crisis. The aim is also to explore how institutional aid can be better coordinated with local dynamics in order to formulate recommendations for citizens and local stakeholders.
As part of the Cities in Transition Biennial, the City of Grenoble and Groupe URD invite you to attend the presentation of the results of this study, followed by a workshop aimed at consolidating these results and discussing how to strengthen citizen involvement during crises.
Workshop programme
- Presentation of the results of the operational research on mutual aid in crises (cross presentation of the case studies followed by the cross-sectional analysis)
- Sub-group work to gather experiences, suggestions and needs on the themes and issues arising from the study – to strengthen citizen involvement in crisis response
- Feedback on sub-group work
Tuesday 13 May, in French
Time: 9am-12pm
Place: Grenoble 2040, new paths to the future