Language in Disaster Risk Reduction and Education in Emergencies

Location: Zoom,   Start Date: 16 Sep 2021,   End Date: 16 Sep 2021,
Speaker/s: Alice Castillejo, Organiser: GADRRRES
Webinar recording available on the GADRRRES YouTube channel:

Download the presentation [PDF 2.93MB]
Attendance 25.

Description
Language is an under-recognised component of vulnerability, often hidden in the ‘any other vulnerable groups’ in a funding application, and quickly forgotten. However, speaking a marginalised language can compound other vulnerabilities. It limits access to life-critical information and services that can save lives in crisis times and improve the quality of life every day. For those who don’t speak a dominant or official language it limits their ability to express their own needs, be heard, and be taken into account. Language data and language sensitive programming can help us make sure that we hear the views of vulnerable people and understand their particular risks. Ultimately it enables us to understand if people who speak marginalised languages were equally able to stay safe, access education, and achieve the same educational outcomes as those from dominant languages.

Learning and Insights

Language is an under-recognised component of vulnerability, often hidden in the ‘any other vulnerable groups’ in a funding application, and quickly forgotten. However,speaking a marginalised language can compound other vulnerabilities. It limits access to life-critical information and services that can save lives in crisis times and improve the quality of life every day. For those who don’t speak a dominant or official language it limits their ability to express their own needs, be heard, and be taken into account. Language data and language sensitive programming can help us make sure that we hear the views of vulnerable people and understand their particular risks. Ultimately it enables us to understand if people who speak marginalised languages were equally able to stay safe, access education, and achieve the same educational outcomes as those from dominant languages.