Outreach & Communication

GEM’s Outreach and Communication strategy attempts to succesfully communicate the unique value GEM offers to the world. This strategy builds on the benefits GEM will offer to all its stakeholders by reducing earthquake deaths, destruction, dislocation, and monetary losses.

The communication component is mostly aimed at dialoguing with the general public, the media and GEM’s stakeholders about GEM developments and achievements. Activities comprise: a digital newsletter, brochures, media appereances and press releases, the creation and enhancement of a user-oriented webportal, including interactive features.

The outreach component comprises concrete activities, products and services for GEM’s stakeholders. These include presentations, articles and workshops in order to reach out to new stakeholders, possible participants and end-user groups. Furthermore, outreach activities include the dissemination of GEM results in the form of technical reports to the scientific community and the development of awareness raising tools and programmes.

Capacity Building

When it comes to reaching out to stakeholders, capacity building deserves particular attention. Technology transfer is critical for GEM tools to achieve uniformity, efficiency, and relevance, but also to empower professional groups in developing regions - that today have no means of conducting risk analysis for their local areas - with acces to the tools that can reduce seismic risk in their own communities.

Workshops and distance learning applications will be set up and hosted at various institutions around the world as part of the initiative. Capacity building will be based on expressed needs and will make use of modern technologies.

Workshops and training activities will be listed here, along with information on how to participate.

What has been done so far? 

  • The GEM website has been revamped and continues to be improved.
  • GEM’s Outreach Meeting took place in Munich, Germany on 8th-10th June 2009. Over 130 individuals from 40+ countries participated.
  • The first edition of GEM's digital newsletter was sent out in June 2009.
  • GEM's first own press release has come out.
  • GEM overview presentations have been delivered all around the world and many more are scheduled. Go to the events page for an updated overview.
  • The GEM booklet (Business Plan) has been revamped and has been available online since September 2009.