Become a Master of Disaster Management

The major natural disasters and complex emergencies in recent years have led to an awareness that our efforts in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery leave much to be desired.

Disasters – whether caused by climate change, sudden natural events, terrorism, war, or political conflict – often leave the impression that they are unmanageable. This notion, no matter how compelling, is untrue. Risks can be reduced, consequences of disaster can be managed effectively, and recovery can be carried out in a sustainable way. What is needed is knowledge on how to work interdisciplinary, in a multicultural context, with disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery, and how to unite these three processes of disaster management into one holistic approach.

Based on a UN supported framework

Starting this September, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark – in close cooperation with Lund University, Sweden – will offer the world’s first full Master’s programme with an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to all three key processes of disaster management.

The Master of Disaster Management is unique, because it focuses on balancing and fusing disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, and is a joint effort by the universities to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action – the global UN supported international framework for the reduction of disaster losses.

The intention is to educate a new generation of interdisciplinary aid workers, with a professionalism that is founded on the latest research in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery, and on the practical experiences of professionals in these fields.

Many specialised courses

The programme will provide the student with the knowledge and tools necessary to deal with all aspects of disaster management, and offers specialised courses in a wide range of appropriate fields, such as:

• Risk assessment methods
• Risk reduction and preparedness
• Management of disaster situations
• Water supply and sanitation in emergencies
• Health for refugees and internally displaced
• Sustainable recovery
• Development cooperation
• Psycho-traumatology and traumatic stress in disasters

All courses will be taught in English by researchers and international professionals with hands-on experiences from the world’s hot spots.

The University of Copenhagen and Lund University invite interested applicants from all over the world, with international ambitions, a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, and at least two years of relevant working experience, to visit www.mdm.ku.dk,  where you will find an application form, detailed information about the courses, dates, and fees.

Website: www.mdm.ku.dk