Systems

Modeling

Decision-making based on projected scenarios is becoming indispensable in modern complex world. A substantial effort is made at developing modeling systems that are affordable, available and address pressing needs related to water related environment management. contd.

Monitoring

Environment monitoring is a pre-requisite to understand the current status of environmental processes, to model them and forecast future scenarios under the influence of various external drivers. contd.

UNU-Programs

Integrated Assessment

Almost all of our current activities are dependent to some degree of model based forecasts and impacts assessment even though they often focus on one dimension of the problem, typically either environment, economics or the social sector. Integrated assessment where environment as a natural system, human development activities and the interaction between them are incorporated in forecasting is gaining more and more importance as the basic methodologies for model-based assessment in each of the components have improved and integration has become a possibility. In order to arrive at tangible results as well as to provide demonstrable outcomes the program address the following specific topics.

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Managing Basin Water Cycle

Global Initiatives

GOESS

UNU is participating in the program for capacity development in Global Earth Observation System of Systems program, especially on the one related to Asian Water Cycle Project. contd.

International Program on Landslides

UNU is an adviser to the management committee on IPL and is an active member in the promotion of IPL though the International Consortium on Landslides. contd.

International Flood Initiative

UNU is one of the management committee members of the IFI, which has the secretariat located in Tsukuba, Japan. contd.

Research

Customizing Global Knowledge

In order to customize global knowledge for local use through local capacity development, UNU provides support to post graduate research programs in a number of institutions.

Training

Flood Risk Modeling

An innovative program on flood modeling training is being prepared where senior practitioners of government institutions are provided with models and know-how to forecast rainfall and flood inundation for risk assessment. contd.

International Course

The ESD course for the UNU international course for year 2008 is 'Environmental Change - Managing risks' will start in May 2008 and run till 2008 June. contd.