A global conference to develop strategies to minimize the human and financial loss of disasters through strategies of coordinated action across national and international entities, government, business and the academy.

Preventing Disasters and Minimizing Their Consequences, April 26-28, 2006 at the National Academy of Arts & Sciences Norton’s Woods Conference Center, Cambridge, Mass.

Conference Goal

There are common components that can help prevent disasters or mitigate their consequences. They include the quality and scope of leadership, infrastructure and business continuity efforts, financial incentives or disincentives, and policy. These elements or tools should be designed, understood, and deployed months, years, and decades before to have an impact on the consequences of a disastrous event.

The goal of this global conference is to identify best practices and to develop new frameworks for cross-sectoral partnerships with the participation of decision-makers, researchers and influencers from industry, government, academia, and national and international entities. We are committed to generating specific outputs.

Conference registrants are asked to attend the entire meeting. All participants will be an integral part of working groups and engaged in a progressive series of discussions. You will have the opportunity to shape the symposium抯 products. We are looking forward to your important contribution.

Conference Co-Chairs

Joseph D.Brain, Professor of Environmental Physiology and past chair of the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health

Howard Koh, Professor of the Practice of Public Health and director, HSPH Center for Public Health Preparedness

Participants are asked to join Working Groups which, as part of the conference, will develop specific proposals or frameworks for use in follow up activities. See Working Groups for further information. We welcome your suggestions of literature or cases that illuminate the issues we are considering. For information and suggestions, contact disaster@hsph.harvard.edu, 617-432-6417.