Webinar: Dialogue across networks - we4DRR meets DCNA and DKKV

 

The session featured Ronja Winkhardt-Enz, Research Associate at the German Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction (DKKV), and Susanna Wernhart, Head of Natural Hazard Group, researcher and coordinator at the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA). Participants were invited into a dialogue exploring how national platforms function, how they support science–policy–practice exchange, and how networks can respond to today’s complex risk landscape.

The webinar opened with an emphasis on the importance of connecting national DRR communities across Europe. Although DCNA and DKKV operate in different national contexts, both organisations share the mission of strengthening disaster resilience by enabling cooperation, knowledge exchange, and multidirectional learning. The session therefore aimed to unpack the mandate, structure, and activities of each network, while creating space for a personal and professional conversation about working within DRR networks.

Dialogue and Key Questions

The second half of the webinar shifted into an open conversation, beginning with personal reflections on how the speakers entered the DRR field. Both Ronja and Susanna described academic paths shaped by interdisciplinarity, blending natural and social sciences, and the appeal of working at the interface between stakeholders. Their experiences underscored the value of networks for enabling dialogue across diverse communities.

When asked why networks matter today, both speakers emphasised:

• the challenges of navigating an overwhelming amount of information,
• the need for integrated societal approaches to risk,
• and the importance of translating knowledge between sectors.

While DKKV and DCNA share similar missions, they differ in focus:

• DKKV’s scope spans the full DRR cycle and broad societal resilience,
• DCNA maintains a more research‑centred, technically oriented profile, with strongly formalised working groups

In discussing institutional challenges, both pointed to funding stability and member engagement as recurring issues. Networks must continuously develop attractive formats to keep members involved and balance diverse institutional priorities without duplicating roles or competing with members’ mandates.

The Q&A session brought forward questions about vulnerable groups, where both organisations shared ongoing research on inclusive preparedness and community engagement. Participants also asked about opportunities for young professionals, with DKKV highlighting its open award scheme and DCNA outlining its PhD community and thematic clusters. A final question on measuring impact revealed that while communication metrics are straightforward to track, assessing deeper network influence remains an open challenge, one that both organisations continue to explore.

Reflection

The webinar concluded with a shared recognition that networks are indispensable in today’s complex risk environment. They help bridge the gaps between disciplines, institutions, and sectors; they foster shared understanding; and they enable coordinated action toward more resilient societies. The dialogue between DCNA and DKKV highlighted both the diversity and complementarity of European DRR networks, reinforcing the value of cross‑border cooperation and mutual learning. As DRR increasingly requires inclusive, systemic, and anticipatory approaches, such exchanges remain essential - strengthening not only individual organisations but the wider community working to reduce disaster risks across Europe.