Participants register for the APDR3 conference. 140 people participated in Day 1 of the APDR3 Symposium. Represented groups include academic institutions, NGOs, private sector, government and others from the Asia Pacific region. A strong representation of local Indonesians contributed to a rich discussion on resilience, particularly early warning systems and urban resilience.

Here I am addressing participants of the APDR3 Symposium. I spoke about the impressive initiatives underway locally and encouraged participants to think about ways to further the new field of resilience.

At the opening ceremony of the APDR3 Symposium. Joining myself, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Denise Konan are (left to right): Gadjah Mada University Vice Rector Dwikorita Karnawati, APDR3 Vice Chairman Alfonzo Martinez-Fonts, Islamic University of Indonesia Rector Edy Suandi Hamid and Executive Director of Damandiri Foundation Haryono Suyono.

APDR3 Symposium participants receive an update on efforts to build urban resilience throughout Indonesia.

Discussing national level initiatives with the head of Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Syamsul Ma’arif. Also joining the discussion (left to right) UH Manoa Social Sciences Dean Denise Konan, UH Manoa Assistant Professor Maya Soetor-Ng and volcanologist Dr. Surono (far right).

Myself, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Indonesia’s head volcanologist Dr. Surono talk to the media about the burgeoning field of resilience and efforts to introduce a network approach to maximize the efforts.

Speaking to Indonesia media about recent partnerships between the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and Indonesian universities, as well as plans to increase future educational relationships.

The head of Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Syamsul Ma’arif addresses participants of the APDR3 Symposium and encourages science based approaches that connect with communities.

APDR3 participants discuss urban resilience and opportunities for private sector involvement in community resilience initiatives.

Volcanologist Dr. Surono discusses Indonesia’s early warning systems associated with past activity from Mount Merapi. He highlighted the challenges of implementation, evacuation and recovery efforts.

UH Manoa Social Sciences Dean Denise Konan addresses participants of the APDR3 Symposium. She highlighted the exciting initiatives that are underway with APDR3, as well as key educational partnerships going forward.

Panelists volcanologist Dr. Surano (left) and UH Alumni and business leader Rezal Kusumaatmadja field questions by symposium participants in a session moderated by UH Manoa Social Sciences Dean Denise Konan. The discussion highlighted integrated methods that cross various sectors and involve important stakeholders in natural resource management, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.

The APDR3 delegation visit the Sultan of Yogyakarta’s Keraton Palace. The palace became a refuge after the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption. We learned about community resilience and cultural preservation measures.

The APDR3 delegation studies laharic (mud and debris) flows from the Mount Merapi eruptions. Gadjah Mada University representatives describe a multidisciplinary program developed in conjunction with the University of Hawai’i’s Pacific Disaster Center, to support early warning systems that combine the latest technologies with community practices. Such partnerships and concepts have been the central focus of discussion of this week’s APDR3 Symposium in Indonesia.

President Greenwood rides a traditional becak, or rickshaw, during her visit to Indonesia, where she and the APDR3 delegation are learning about urban resilience practices.

UH Manoa Assistant Professor Maya Soetoro-Ng and the APDR3 delegation visit major infrastructure interventions by Indonesia’s Central Government. The project reduces the risk of landslides from laharic (mud and debris) flows from Mount Merapi. The local government has also worked with the community to develop early warning and monitoring systems.

The APDR3 delegation poses at a lahar flow site. This visit highlighted partnerships between the government and the communities.

Communities welcome the APDR3 delegation to the upper slopes of Mount Merapi. The community has developed sophisticated early warning systems and evacuation plans that coordinate with scientists from Gadjah Mada University. We sampled snakefruit, guava, oranges and other local treats from a recent harvest.

UH Manoa Assistant Professor Maya Soetoro-Ng speaks to a small village on the slopes of Mount Merapi, where she commends the community on the impressive efforts it has made to create disaster risk reduction plans.

UH Manoa Assistant Professor Maya Soetoro-Ng talks to the local media at a small village on the slopes of Mount Merapi. She discusses the sophistication of community resilience efforts that have stretched across various disciplines to reduce disaster risk.

Standing in the ruins of an old palace that was devastated by the 1867 earthquake. Indonesia experiences about a third of all high casualty earthquakes in the world. The site visit was the centerpiece for a discussion on coping mechanisms, natural hazards and building resilience.

A local government official and the APDR3 delegation discuss expanding efforts to build resilience at the ruins of past natural disasters.

UH Manoa Social Sciences Dean Denise Konan and the APDR3 delegation enjoy a Ramayana performance in the courtyard of a 9th century temple.

Me and the APDR3 delegation conclude their urban resilience tour outside the old entrance to the Taman Sari Palace, one of the key symbols of the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

Associate Professor of Engineering at UH Manoa, Roger Babcock, tries his hand at batik, a traditional wax print method that has gained widespread popularity in Hawai’i and the world.