Name: Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 – From Risks to Resilience
Start: 2022-07-07T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2022-07-08T23:59:59+02:00
Location: UNU-MERIT

07-08 July 2022, UNU-MERIT, Maastricht, the Netherlands (hybrid event)

Floods are a common environmental hazard, causing loss of lives, economic losses, and livelihood impacts around the globe. At the same time, the recently published 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that such extreme events will further increase in both frequency and severity in the coming decades. Recent flood events (incl. those in Europe in 2021) have revealed significant gaps in

our understanding of the multiple risks and impacts of such extreme events;
the awareness and risk perception of the population;
early warning, preparedness, and emergency responses;
risk insurance and how insurance and finance instruments can support building back better;
adaptation and transformation needs;
cross-border and multi-level governance of climate risks and resilience.

In order to meet these challenges and build societal climate resilience, increased collaboration and exchange of experiences as well as innovative solutions are urgently needed. The Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 is the first summit to address these gaps through a multi-stakeholder approach. It will take place from 7 to 8 July 2022 as a hybrid event at UNU-MERIT in Maastricht, the Netherlands, with pre-events targeting youth on the days before the summit.

Aims of the Flood Knowledge Summit 2022

The Flood Knowledge Summit 2022 (FKS 2022) will connect different actors, incl. affected citizens, first responders, authorities, researchers, and civil society, from the region, the European Union, and the Global South to share experiences, engage into dialogue, and facilitate learning. By looking back and looking forward, it will compile lessons learnt and best practices and develop actionable recommendations for research, policy, and practice towards climate resilient development.

Concrete outcomes of FKS 2022 will be a long-term research agenda on climate resilience and a repository of good practices. These outcomes will be used to inform future policy discussions and research efforts.

Agenda & Programme

FKS 2022 will comprise of keynotes, panel discussions, presentation sessions, poster exhibitions, and open spaces. Pre-events dedicated to youth engagement on climate resilience are also part of the programme. A preliminary programme is available here.

Poster Exhibition

Next to plenaries, breakout sessions, and keynotes, FKS 2022 will also feature a Poster Exhibition to highlight the different perspectives and initiatives working on these important issues. Should you wish to participate, please do not hesitate to submit your abstract via this form here before Monday 20 June 2022.

Pre-Summit: Youth Event – Strategy Contest

On Wednesday 6 July, a day before the main Summit, the Climate Resilience Initiative team members will host the pre-Summit specifically focused on the role of youth in future climate action.
Inspirational talks by youth activists from the Global South and North will provide the framework for a group exercise to develop solutions and ideas toward a ‘Climate Resilient Future for All’. These will be evaluated by the international youth activists and the winning team will present their solution idea during the main Summit on Friday 8 July. Should you wish to participate, please register via this link and specify in which format (in person or online) you would like to attend before Friday 24 June 2022.

Target Groups & Summit Format

Researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives, and students are welcome to join FKS 2022. It will take place as a highly interactive in-person event at UNU-MERIT in Maastricht, the Netherlands, with pre-events targeting youth on the days before the summit. The summit will offer ample opportunities for online engagement to ensure broad participation. Further details about online participation will be shared with registered participants closer to the event.

Registration & Participation

Registration and participation are free. Please indicate your interest in attending FKS 2022 (in-person or online) through the following registration link before Wednesday 22 June 2022:

Registration Link

Practical information on attending the conference is available here.