Africa - part of its corporate citizenship activities

Name of thecandidateOTU, UwemRobert.Name of theOrganization orNetworkThe African YouthMovementTitle Address/Country Telephone/Fax/e-mail Website Language(s)SpokenPresident 9 Ufeh StreetUyoAkwa Ibom StateNigeriaTel: +2348069563999Email: aymnig@yahoo.comwww.pnyv.org/aym; www.globalnetwork-dr.orgEnglishQuestion #1 Question #2 Question #3 Question #4The African Youth Movement [AYM], an NGOis Consultative status with the Economic andSocial Council [ECOSOC] of the United Nationsas well as an accredited NGO in affiliation withthe Department of Public Information [DPI] ofthe United Nations aims to strengthenevidence-based policymaking and implentationin Nigeria in the areas of disaster risk reduction[DRR]. In collaboration with the Global Networkfor Disaster Reduction [GNDR]- a collaboatingcentre of the United Nations InternationalStrategy for Disaster Reduction [UNISDR], wesupport the strengthening disaster riskreduction policies and strategies throughenhanced knowledge, information, data, andtools for the analysis, design, andimplementation of pro-poor, gender-sensitiveand generationally balanced sustainabledisaster risk reduction development polices andstrategies in Nigeria. This is possible byimplementing the 'Views from the Frontline-VFL' survey in rural communities accrossNigeria.Our experience from the Views from theFrontline Survey indicates that:a. Actors at community level often don’tcommunicate or work togetherb. Community members don’t have the capacityor confidence to take initiatives or exerciseleadershipc Community members often see localgovernment as not understanding the localissues around DRRd Government is sometimes distrustful ofcommunity groups and civil society, and mayexclude them from political processes anddecisionmaking.e. Civil society may be distrustful of localgovernment and lacking in confidence to buildrelationships with policymakersWe have networked extensively working asCountry Coordinators of the Views from theFrontline (VFL) Project.VFL 2009 provided substantial evidence thatprogress in developing DRR policies andlegislation has not yet systematicallygenerated widespread change in localpractices –national policies are only as good as thelocal level action that follows. The mostsuccessful DRR programmes are in thosecountries where local government is able toharness theindigenous knowledge, experience andcapacities of local people by working inpartnership with civil society and at-riskcommunities with support from nationalinstitutions.Why focus VFL 2011 on local governance?Local governance is where national policiesare converted into actual practice and isconsidered the single most important factorin determining progress in buildingcommunityresilience. It provides the “enablingenvironment” essential for interactionbetween state authorities, at-risk people andlocal actors. Unless the core components ofgood localgovernance are in place, mobilising moreresources from national governments andexternal sources will not in itselfautomatically result in increased capacity &resilience at thelocal level.How does VFL work ?“Views from the Frontline ” is a participatorymulti-stakeholder engagement processdesigned to monitor, review and report oncritical aspects of “local governance”consideredessential to building disaster resilientcommunities. The review uses a surveyquestionnaire based on a series of “coreindictors” intended to reflect the corefunctions of localgovernance as articulated in the narrative ofthe Hyogo Framework for Action . The VFLprocess is designed and coordinated by theGlobal Network Secretariat throughregional nodes and administered by locallyactiveparticipating civil societyorganisations. In a variety of differentgeographical locations the participatingorganisations willconduct guided face-to-face interviews andfocus group discussions with two keyinformant groups (local government officialsand community representatives) to assessthe levelof progress achieved in accordance with a 1-5 Likert Scale. One of the most criticalelements of the engagement process will bethe identification of relevant stakeholders inaffected communities, local governmentministries and secvtoral departmentsrelevant to disaster risk reduction.Following an initial analysis of the surveydata from local government and communityinformants, a programme of localWe have worked to ensure resiliencethrough disaster risk reduction whichcontributes to climate change adaptability.Working with the support of the UnitedNationsInternational Strategy for Disaster Reduction(UNISDR) towards attainment of the HyogoFramework for Action (HFA). Forests andREDD effectively contributes to sustainablelivelihood and environmental sustainabilitythus provide anchorage for climate changeadaptability, resilience and disaster riskreduction.Yes, we receive funding and support fromthe United Nations International Strategyfor Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the UNagency tasked with Disaster RiskReduction andcontributing to the attainment of the HyogoFramework for Action (HFA).