Yogyakarta, October 31, 2024 - A workshop titled "Disaster Risk Management: Managing Strategies for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness" was held in collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the Indonesian Association of University Archives (PAPTI), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the Sekip Room, University Club (UC) Hotel UGM, Yogyakarta, from October 29 to 31, 2024. The workshop was attended by 41 participants representing archival institutions, libraries, and museums from various regions across Indonesia.
This workshop aimed to raise awareness and practical skills in disaster risk management, particularly in the context of preserving archives, libraries, and museum collections. The event was part of a series organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada to strengthen collaboration and build the capacity of cultural institutions in addressing disaster risks.
The speakers included Widiatmoko Adi Putranto, Lecturer of the Archive and Information Records Management Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Sanira Beevi binte Karim Gani, Head of the Preservation Laboratory at the National University of Singapore. Sanira presented material relevant to Indonesia's conditions, such as humidity, mold, and chemical factors, as well as preventive measures.
Sanira also noted that awareness of collection care is not just an issue in Indonesia but is faced by many countries, including Singapore. “This does not only happen here but is also a problem for many countries,” she remarked.
Over the course of three days, participants received comprehensive material on disaster prevention and preparedness strategies delivered by experts in risk management and cultural preservation. The workshop sessions covered various topics, from risk identification and disaster mitigation to creating effective emergency response plans to protect cultural assets owned by each institution.
Participants were divided into seven groups to discuss strategies for disaster mitigation related to their collections and presented their findings to the other attendees. The participants were enthusiastic about engaging in the discussion and simulation sessions designed to enhance their understanding of practical steps in facing disaster threats. Through these sessions, they were expected to apply relevant and effective strategies in their respective institutions to protect collections and archives from disaster risks.
