RDI collaborated with the AHA Centre to implement the ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND) project workshop. The workshops were conducted twice in Cebu, the Philippines, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Cebu, the Philippines Workshop: Enhancing Disaster Management Expertise
Firstly, from August 14th to August 18th, 2023, a workshop activity series was conducted in Cebu, the Philippines. The primary objectives were to prepare ASCEND Master Assessors and review the ASCEND Competency Standards. Dr. Harijanto Tjahjono, representing RDI, was among the facilitators, along with RDI team Farijzal Arrafisena, Ananda Prabu, and Tiffany Salikha Dewi. The participants consisted of representatives from the National Disaster Management Organizations (NDMOs) of ASEAN Member States.
The event kicked off with introductory remarks from key figures such as Hernando M. Caraig Jr. from the ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Jinmo Kang, First Secretary of the Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, and Mr. Lee Yam Ming, Executive Director of the AHA Centre, followed by an insightful overview of the ASCEND Project by Mr. Andrew Mardanugraha. The initial training days encompassed diverse learning aspects, including understanding learning environments, session planning, effective training delivery, and robust learning support systems. Subsequent days focused on workplace learning strategies, program development, and addressing adult language, literacy, and numeracy skills. The program culminated with a comprehensive Competency Standards Review Workshop, engaging Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assess and refine ASCEND Competency Standards modules for disaster response. These workshops and training sessions collectively aimed to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities across the ASEAN region.
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Workshop: Crafting a Sustainable Framework
As the continuity of the previous agenda, the Workshop on Framework and Sustainability was held from September 14th to 15th, 2023 in Vietnam. The primary objective of the workshop was to gather diverse perspectives and insights to shape the new iteration of the ASCEND Framework and formulate a Sustainability Strategy for the ASCEND project. Tiffany Salikha and Farijzal Arrafisena along with Mr. Harijanto Tjahjono managed and facilitated the workshop. The first day commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Khrisna Putra Tanaja, Deputy Executive Director of AHA Centre, followed by a speech from Mr. Lim Wonseob, Director of the Korean National Fire Agency.
Subsequently, Mr. Andrew Mandranugraha, Project Manager of ASCEND, provided an overview of the ASCEND Project. After a break, the RDI team led the Framework Participatory Workshop session, facilitating a peer review of the ASCEND Framework. The day concluded with a session focused on ASCEND's sustainability, led by Mr. Harijanto from the RDI team. Participants were encouraged to create various Business Model Canvas (BMC) models for ASCEND.
On the second day, Mr. Harijanto led the Sustainability Workshop, commencing with a self-assessment of the ASCEND program using the Program Sustainability Assessment Tools (PSAT). The session then transitioned to a visioning activity where participants were invited to envision their future selves, institutions, and ASCEND. The workshop concluded with a discussion on Selected Variables derived from initial findings that should be the focal points of the sustainability strategy's development. The second-day workshop’s results were then evaluated and will be prepared for the upcoming agenda.
