In 2022, CRHNet rebooted the Emerging Professionals (EP) Committee, expanding it from a one-person team to a thriving community of driven individuals. Our goal for revamping the committee was to create a national community for students and EPs entering the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster and emergency management (D&EM), to provide a platform to elevate their voices, and to create meaningful opportunities for professional and personal development. With social and climate change-related hazards on the rise, the DRR and D&EM field is growing at an unprecedented rate. With this growth the need for a national community of EPs has never been more pressing. From all of us at the EP Committee, we would like to express our gratitude for your unwavering support throughout this incredible journey!
Since our relaunch, the EP Committee has grown to include approximately 20 members spanning from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. We proudly represent members from prestigious schools such as Royal Roads University, York University, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Vancouver Island University, Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), and Brandon University. Our team has already hosted several successful events including a workshop to discuss the direction of DRR in Canada, and a panel night on El Niño-Southern Oscillation. And the conversation continues with the newly launched Discord server that has already amassed around 100 members. We are excited to announce upcoming events such as Mental Health focused Yoga sessions, Utilizing Games for Research, and many more! Don’t want to miss out? Check out the upcoming events on our event calendar.
Moving forward, our focus for 2023 and beyond is centered around several key objectives: fostering community and collaboration throughout Canada; advocating for students and EPs; creating meaningful opportunities for both professional and personal growth; and ensuring the long-term sustainability of CRHNet. We appreciate your continued support in attending events – including the 2023 symposium, joining as a CRHNet member and engaging with us on Discord and social media. Together, we are confident that the EP committee will thrive and achieve its mission to empower EPs entering the field of DRR and D&EM.
Thank you again for being a part of this amazing journey!
Sincerely,
Sarah Cowan and Nathan Innes
Co-Chairs of the Emerging Professionals Committee
