Australia Awards South and West Asia

Ahead of World Environment Day, 24 professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka commenced the in-Australia component of the Australia Awards Short Course on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction on 2 June.

Through masterclasses, guest presentations and site visits, participants will explore how stronger policy coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation can support sustainable development. They will examine the connections between DRR and climate change adaptation across the dimensions of policy, innovation and practice.

The two-week program, delivered in Brisbane and Canberra, will enable participants to engage with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the National Adaptation Policy Office (NAPO) and Energy Queensland. They will also visit Australian Parliament House and SolarShare, Australia’s largest community-owned solar farm.

Participants represent national and local governments, non-government organisations and international agencies.

On the first day of the program, participant Md Akhter Imam, Deputy Director of the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council, said he was most looking forward to learning “the cardinal principles of integrating climate change adaptation policy, strategy and skills to reduce vulnerability”.

Reflecting on the critical intersection between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, Ganga Kariyawasam, Head of Programmes at the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, said, “It is a timely topic, not only for my organisation, but also for the country and the globe.”

Short Course participant Ganga Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka.

Mehruba Islam, an Australia Awards alumna and Senior Assistant Secretary at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources, said, “I am from Bangladesh, which is highly vulnerable to disasters… Therefore, I want to prepare myself to raise awareness about the importance of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.”

Bikas Adhikari, an Economic Development Officer in the Office of the Municipal Executive in Nepal’s Dhankuta Municipality, said he was “excited for the workshops and site visits that will enhance our skills in tackling climate change!”

Short Course participant Bikas Adhikari of Nepal.

Following this course, from 16–27 June, another 24 professionals from the same countries will arrive in Australia for the Australia Awards Short Course on Accessing Climate Finance. Participants will meet with experts in the field and gain valuable insights into climate finance fundamentals, international agreements, green banking and sustainable investing.

Participants attended a preliminary online workshop on 28–29 April, where they met course leaders and were introduced to the fundamentals of climate finance.

Participants in the Australia Awards Short Course on Accessing Climate Finance during preliminary learning activities with course leaders.

These Short Courses build on the success of their initial iterations—Accessing Climate Finance in 2024 and Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023. Their repeat delivery is contributing to a growing cohort of alumni across South Asia and Mongolia who are strengthening their capacity to respond to climate change with the support of Australia Awards.

As with the earlier courses, Griffith University is delivering both programs.

Photos courtesy Griffith University.