CCOUC Delivers Seminar on Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Management in China for Secondary School Teachers

On 17 April 2026, the Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC) contributed to the National Education Series for Teachers by delivering a professional seminar titled "Natural Hazards and Management in China". Organised by the Geography Team of the Hong Kong Education Bureau, the seminar was held at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre and aimed to strengthen secondary school teachers' understanding of natural hazards, disaster risk management and emergency response in China.

Dr Chunlan Guo, Lecturer and Assistant Director of CCOUC at the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), delivered the seminar, covering three key areas: the fundamentals of disaster risk management, the spatial distribution of natural hazard risks across China, and China's emergency management mechanisms. The sessions provided an overview of the geographical patterns of natural hazards and the institutional approaches adopted to manage disaster risks and respond to emergencies.

An engaging discussion emerged around why flooding causes particularly high economic losses, encouraging participants to reflect on the factors contributing to disaster impacts and the importance of effective risk reduction strategies. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session, providing an opportunity for further exchange between the speaker and participating educators.

The seminar highlighted the importance of integrating disaster risk awareness into geography education and strengthening teachers' understanding of disaster risk management. Through professional knowledge exchange, the initiative contributed to broader efforts to enhance disaster risk literacy and promote societal resilience.