（Concept）
Established on 6 March 2006 under an agreement between UNESCO and the Government of Japan, ICHARM has been engaged in a wide range of activities based on its three core pillars of research, training, and information networking, with the mission of reducing water-related disasters around the world. The past two decades of ICHARM’s journey have coincided with a period in which climate change and the increasing severity of water-related disasters have come to be recognized as global challenges, while science and technology related to water disasters have advanced significantly.
As ICHARM celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, this milestone provides a valuable opportunity not only to share its activities and achievements over the past two decades with a wider audience, but also to discuss and exchange views on its future vision and the roles it should play in the years ahead. With this in mind, ICHARM planned and implemented a series of commemorative events, through which broad discussions were held on the future of society in the face of water-related disasters, as well as on ICHARM’s future roles and strategic direction.
ICHARM will incorporate the expectations, insights, and recommendations generated through the commemorative events into its future activities and implementation strategies, and use this 20th anniversary as a new starting point from which to shape the future and further advance ICHARM’s mission.
＜Events＞
１．Special Lectures [ "Water and Peace" and "Water and Poverty" ]
To cultivate foundational knowledge of development and international cooperation, and to train leaders who can take a comprehensive approach to formulating and implementing policies for water disaster risk reduction and sustainable development at the national , regional, and global levels, three new courses—“Water and Sanitation,” “Water and Poverty,” and “Water and Peace”—have been added to the curriculum in FY2025.
As part of the 20th Anniversary commemorative program, special lectures on “Water and Poverty” and “Water and Peace” were held.
＜In Preparation＞
２．ICHARM 20th Anniversary Symposium - Reducing water-related disaster risk to build a sustainable society-
Renowned experts from Japan and abroad, as well as alumni of ICHARM’s doctoral and master’s programs, were invited to share valuable insights and engage in discussions on a wide range of topics related to water disasters. The event also examined the future direction of society and proposed ICHARM’s role and implementation strategies for advancing research and capacity development in the field of water disaster management.
＜Learn more＞
３．Alumni Follow-up Seminar
This Alumni Follow-up Seminar reviewed and synthesized the discussions conducted through previous Alumni Webinars and related activities on challenges and response measures in the fields of disaster risk reduction, sediment management, hydrology, and meteorology, as well as relevant best practices. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the future direction of ICHARM’s activities.
＜In Preparation＞