City Level Response: Linking ESD and DRR in Kesennuma

Abstract

This chapter traces the responses of educational sectors such as schools and Board of Education (BOE) in Kesennuma City on the recovery process after the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (EJET), linking Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Firstly, the chapter analyzes the ESD background of Kesennuma City and the damaged situations of the city and schools in Kesennuma City after EJET immediately. It also analyzes the responses of schools and Kesennuma City Board of Education (BOE) in order to reopen schools and to recover the school education in Kesennuma City. And then, it also analyzes the framework and the method for improvement of DRR education based on experiences and lessons from EJET and ESD by introducing the research of BOE and some case studies of schools in Kesennuma City. Lastly, the chapter analyzes the perspectives for Recovery Education in Kesennuma City, which should be made best use of ESD concept. ESD establishes the linkages and collaborations between schools and communities as well as among diverse actors inside and outside of the community. These networks function to emergency situations after disasters such as Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). And ESD and DRR education have the synergy with each other focused on abilities and attitudes to be fostered as well as curriculum development. ESD emphasize integrated study and interdisciplinary approach to make the curriculum, on the other hand, the concept of ESD and one of Recovery Education have the same way of doing. Therefore, ESD is a crucial concept and method in order to promote and to improve DRR education effectively at schools and in communities.