Caribbean Chapter – DRRC Conversations: Bridging Strategic Risk and Disaster Resilience

The Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (DRRC) at The University of the West Indies, in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM) Caribbean Chapter, invites you to the next edition of DRRC Conversations, themed “Bridging Strategic Risk and Disaster Resilience: Are Caribbean Institutions Ready for the Next Decade?”

As the Caribbean navigates an increasingly complex and interconnected risk landscape, institutions must be prepared to anticipate emerging threats, respond to evolving challenges, and sustain essential services. From climate change and economic uncertainty to technological disruption, cyber threats, and governance challenges, the next decade will demand stronger institutional leadership, coordinated planning, and forward-looking approaches to resilience.

This engaging 90-minute webinar will bring together regional and international experts to explore the intersection of strategic risk management and disaster resilience, highlighting the importance of risk-informed decision-making in safeguarding the Caribbean’s development gains.

Key Areas of Discussion:

The conversation will focus on three critical questions:

• What is the single greatest risk facing Caribbean institutions over the next decade?Exploring emerging threats and vulnerabilities that could shape the region’s future.
• Are Caribbean institutions prepared for a world of interconnected and cascading risks? Examining institutional readiness, governance structures, and the capacity to manage complex and overlapping crises.
• What should Caribbean leaders invest in today to strengthen resilience by 2035?Identifying priorities for strategic foresight, technological innovation, institutional capacity-building, economic resilience, and regional collaboration.

Speakers:

The discussion will feature a distinguished panel of experts:

• Dr Evangeline Inniss-Springer – Director, Disaster Risk Reduction Centre, The University of the West Indies
• Dr David Rubens – Founder and Executive Director, Institute of Strategic Risk Management
• Quinn Weekes – Economist and AI Practitioner; CEO, Infolytics Barbados
• Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, Disaster Risk Management Authority, The Bahamas
• Dainalyn Swaby-Bryan – Development Communication Specialist, Jamaica