Advanced Diploma in Environmental Disaster Risk Management
1th Cohort | Virtual Modality
ACADEMIC COORDINATION
Lucas Figueroa (UNSAM-CONICET, Argentina) and María Ximena Simpson Severo (UNSAM, Argentina)
PROFESSORS
Manuela Fernández (UNSAM, Argentina), María de Estrada (UNLP, Argentina), Cinthia Shammah (UNSAM, Argentina), Lucas Figueroa (UNSAM-CONICET, Argentina), Norma Beatriz Corral (Global Network of Civil Society for Disaster Risk Reduction), Lucas Christel (CALAS, UNSAM-CONICET, Argentina), Ana Stevanato (UNSAM, Argentina) and Janaina Pinto.
Virtual format | September to December 2025
Start date : 10/09/2025 | Registration : 09/05/2025 to 09/09/2025
The Advanced Diploma in Environmental Disaster Risk Management is an innovative educational program aimed at governments, civil society organizations, academics, and the private sector in the region. This program combines comprehensive training in institutional management, local development, and socio-environmental policies, with the purpose of developing specific capacities to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change (floods, droughts, fires) and its impact on different territories. Through theoretical and practical tools, participants will acquire the skills to characterize risk and formulate prevention, mitigation, adaptation, and emergency management projects with the goal of reducing the risk of environmental disasters. The diploma program fosters dialogue, reflection, and collaborative action, promoting an inclusive and resilient approach to territorial planning. With an emphasis on local management and actors, but without neglecting the multi-level (national and transnational) dynamics of decision-making, this program contributes to strengthening institutional capacities, consolidating intergovernmental relationships, and enhancing the social fabric for comprehensive and sustainable environmental disaster risk management.
Climate change poses a global challenge, and its most critical manifestations—floods, droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and biodiversity loss—have direct consequences in both urban and rural areas. These situations underscore the urgent need to design, implement, and ensure compliance with public policies that incorporate approaches to prevention, mitigation, adaptation, and environmental risk management. Latin American countries, one of the regions most vulnerable to these phenomena, have adopted international standards such as the United Nations Sendai Framework and enacted laws aimed at disaster prevention and management. However, the effective implementation of these policies remains limited. This gap not only increases the vulnerability of the most exposed populations but also extends the impacts to communities that previously did not face significant environmental risks. Among the factors explaining this deficiency are the low priority given to the issue on government and civil society agendas, as well as the limited administrative capacities of states to address these problems. As a result, extreme weather events often overwhelm state response capacity, leading to loss of life and high economic costs stemming from damage to production and infrastructure—effects that could be mitigated with the proper implementation of existing policies. This situation underscores the need to strengthen training initiatives that promote a comprehensive understanding of territories and their risks, as well as the active and coordinated participation of diverse stakeholders in the planning and implementation of sustainable solutions.
The Advanced Diploma program serves as a collaborative learning platform where stakeholders with local experience can exchange knowledge, analyze case studies, and design innovative solutions that contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable communities. The relevance of this program lies, therefore, in its capacity to generate direct impacts on improving the quality of life of affected populations, promoting inclusive local development in the face of the challenges of climate change.
GENERAL PURPOSE
- To strengthen the capacities of those interested in the design and implementation of policies that seek to reduce the impacts of climate change from an environmental disaster risk management approach
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- To increase the intervention capacities of stakeholders concerned with socio-environmental problems, through the planning, management and evaluation of plans and projects for risk reduction.
- To raise awareness and sensitize public and private actors about the need to design and implement socio-environmental management strategies.
- To train professionals capable of formulating proposals and managing projects for the prevention and mitigation of environmental risks through the dialogue of knowledge.
- Strengthen the relationship between academic institutions, civil society organizations, and government agencies at different levels of government to design and implement specific technical tools in the management of environmental disaster risks
The Higher Diploma in Environmental Disaster Risk Management is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students; teachers at all levels; activists and members of trade unions, social movements and political parties; public officials; members and managers of non-governmental organizations and professionals interested in the subject.
The program consists of 5 modules of 3 weekly classes each, taught consecutively and linked together.
Total workload of 128 hours.
The modules that comprise the Higher Diploma are:
CLASS 1: Socio-environmental problems and the impact of climate change
Teacher: Lucas G. Christel
Conceptual summary of the class
Socio-environmental problems generated by climate change (increase in socio-environmental disasters). Main discussions surrounding the concept of development. Sustainable development as a new paradigm. The link between international organizations and national and local governments in shaping public agendas. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Formal and informal institutions to guarantee sustainability at the local level.
CLASS 2: Environmental Governance in Latin America
Teacher: Carlos RS Milani
Conceptual summary of the class
General global and regional institutional framework on environmental issues. The dilemmas of global and regional institutions at the territorial level. Territorial planning as a tool for structuring land use (urban, peri-urban, and rural). The role of social actors and experts in these processes. State-society networks.
CLASS 3: Introduction to the risk of environmental disasters
Teacher: Manuela Fernández
Conceptual summary of the class
From the emergency response paradigm to integrated disaster risk management. Basic concepts: exposure, emergency, disaster, risk, hazard, vulnerability, capacities, and resources. Presentation of the phases of disaster risk management. International agreements on Disaster Risk Reduction. International cooperation for risk management, emergencies, and humanitarian aid. Humanitarian principles. Risk management as a cross-cutting approach. Relationship with territorial development, climate change, and the 2030 Agenda. Cross-cutting themes adapted to the context: interculturality, gender, and the rights of children and adolescents. Integrated risk management in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
CLASS 1: Risk Prevention and Mitigation
Teacher: María de Estrada
Conceptual summary of the class
Planning and prevention strategies through the development of local risk management plans. The creation of specific strategies to identify, prevent, and mitigate risks in the local community. Integration of risk management into territorial and urban planning: Focus on how risk management should be an essential component in land-use planning, urban development, and the construction of resilient infrastructure. Local adaptation strategies. Development of specific actions to increase the resilience of communities to the effects of climate change, considering nature-based and technology-based solutions. Technological tools in risk management. Emerging technologies and their application in risk management: Use of tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and mobile applications for risk identification and management. Examples of technologies applied in local contexts: Presentation of cases where the implementation of technologies has significantly improved a community's capacity to manage its socio-environmental risks.
CLASS 2: Climate Emergency Management
Teacher: Norma Beatriz Corral
Conceptual summary of the class
Phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, and recovery based on the Humanitarian Charter, Protection Principles, Essential Humanitarian Standard, and minimum standards of the Sphere Project and Complementary Standards (child protection, education in emergencies, economic recovery, and others). Methodology for developing the Response Plan: emergency plan (multi-hazard at the municipal level) and contingency plan (specific threats at the local level). Early Warning System. Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Training and drills. Community organization and inter-institutional coordination.
CLASS 3: Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction
Teacher: Norma Beatriz Corral
Conceptual summary of the class
Concepts, strategies, and practical tools based on international frameworks will be addressed. The difference between recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction will be explored, with a focus on "Build Back Better" as defined by UNISDR (2017). The Minimum Standards for Economic Recovery (SEEP, 2017) will be reviewed, emphasizing the identification of immediate and sustainable economic needs through participatory approaches. Inclusive interventions that integrate social, environmental, and cultural aspects to strengthen community resilience will be analyzed using the ICCROM Toolkit. The importance of climate governance and cooperation among the public, private, and civil society sectors will also be highlighted. Finally, case studies illustrating good practices will be presented, providing participants with tools to design effective and sustainable strategies in real-world contexts.
CLASS 1: Participatory mapping
Teacher: Manuela Fernández
Conceptual summary of the class
The class on participatory mapping will focus on how this collaborative tool allows for the identification and representation of threats, vulnerabilities, and capacities within a territory from an inclusive perspective. Throughout the session, participants will work on understanding the basic principles of participatory mapping, its usefulness in risk management, and its potential for integrating technical and community knowledge. Different methodologies will be explored, from traditional approaches such as group workshops and the use of paper maps, to the use of accessible technologies like QGIS and others. The class will include a practical activity in which participants will simulate participatory mapping, identifying risks and resources in a specific scenario, with the aim of applying theoretical concepts to the design of local adaptation and risk reduction strategies.
CLASS 2: Environmental communication and territory
Teacher: Cinthia Shammah
Conceptual summary of the class
Environmental communication: an approach to the field. Communication models and strategies. Communication management. Communication as a process oriented towards territorial transformation. Communication dynamics in relation to space. The organization of space as a reflection of a historically determined socio-economic system. Participatory communication assessments and collective mapping. Territorial planning and management: actors and territory.
CLASS 3: Satellite tools for risk analysis
Teacher: María de Estrada
Conceptual summary of the class:
This course will cover the use of satellite and technological tools to identify risk scenarios through threat and vulnerability assessments and comprehensive risk evaluation. Concepts and methodologies for interpreting and creating risk maps will be explored, integrating satellite data with community knowledge. Participants will learn to use specialized programs and open-source software platforms to graphically represent the physical and geographic aspects of the territory, linking them to social dynamics. Finally, practical exercises will be conducted using open databases and technological trends to strengthen spatial analysis skills in risk management.
CLASS 1: Design and implementation of risk policies
Teacher: Lucas M. Figueroa
Conceptual summary of the class
The concepts of public policy design and implementation. Identification of objectives, priorities, and public policy instruments for risk management. Variables and indicators for the implementation of environmental disaster risk management policies. The importance of generating multi-stakeholder and multi-level networks for the implementation of environmental disaster risk policies. Variables and indicators for evaluating the effects of risk management policies. Administrative capacities as a central variable for the implementation of risk policies.
CLASS 2: Intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation in disaster risk management
Teacher: Lucas M. Figueroa
Conceptual summary of the class
Intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation in disaster risk management is key to addressing socio-environmental threats. This approach integrates different levels of government (national and subnational), seeking to coordinate policies and resources, as well as non-governmental actors such as civil society organizations, businesses, and local communities, to build resilience. The concepts of horizontal and vertical intergovernmental cooperation are addressed, along with their difference from the concept of governance. The link between cooperation and the building of state and social capacities is explored, and the emergence of tensions and conflicts between state and social actors is introduced.
CLASS 3: Success stories of disaster risk policies in Latin America
Teacher: Manuela Fernandez
Conceptual summary of the class
Successful disaster risk management policies in Latin America highlight the value of integrated approaches that combine strategic planning, community participation, and multi-stakeholder cooperation. This course will examine concrete examples of how countries in the region have reduced vulnerabilities and strengthened resilience to disasters, focusing on cases in Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Uruguay. These analyses will identify best practices, challenges overcome, and lessons learned, with the aim of reflecting on how these experiences can be adapted and replicated in other contexts.
CLASS 1: Concepts and methodology for project development
Teacher: Ana Stevanato
Conceptual summary of the class
Planning and management of organizations and territories: models. Collaborative planning with social actors and the problem of representation. Different types of territorial management projects: stages, components, and cycles. Management by objectives, results, and processes. Possibilities and limitations of various methodologies. Diagnostic tools for local problems: SWOT analysis, problem tree analysis, social mapping, and quantitative instruments. The importance of monitoring and evaluation. Integration of content through project development.
CLASS 2: Presentation of project ideas by participants and discussion with the teacher
Teacher: Ana Stevanato
Conceptual summary of the class
In this class, participants will present preliminary ideas for their projects related to environmental disaster risk management, with the goal of receiving constructive feedback from both their peers and the instructor. Each participant will have allotted time to present the approach, objectives, methodologies, and case studies of their proposal. Following this, a group discussion will be held to analyze the strengths, challenges, and potential improvements of each idea. The instructor will guide the discussion, providing specific observations, theoretical and methodological recommendations, and posing key questions to enrich the projects. This dynamic aims to foster collaborative learning and strengthen the proposals in a participatory and interdisciplinary environment.
CLASS 3: Presentation of project ideas by participants and discussion with the teacher
Teacher: Ana Stevanato
Conceptual summary of the class
In this class, participants will present preliminary ideas for their projects related to environmental disaster risk management, with the goal of receiving constructive feedback from both their peers and the instructor. Each participant will have allotted time to present the approach, objectives, methodologies, and case studies of their proposal. Following this, a group discussion will be held to analyze the strengths, challenges, and potential improvements of each idea. The instructor will guide the discussion, providing specific observations, theoretical and methodological recommendations, and posing key questions to enrich the projects. This dynamic aims to foster collaborative learning and strengthen the proposals in a participatory and interdisciplinary environment.
| Early registration (until 27/08) | General registration (May 6th to May 03st) | Registration without discount (September 4th to 9th) | Payment in 3 installments | |
| Full or Associate Member Center | $125 | $185 | $240 | USD 315 (3 x USD 105) |
| No Link | $250 | $310 | $370 | USD 540 (3 x USD 180) |
* Residents of Argentina will pay the equivalent in Argentine pesos according to the official exchange rate of the Banco de la Nación Argentina (BNA) on the day of payment.
You must be registered in the CLACSO Single Registration System (SUIC) and enter your username and password. If you are not registered, click here . To access the registration form, click the "Register" button on the webpage of the Diploma program you are interested in.
Upon completion of the registration process, you will receive a confirmation in your email.
Classes will begin in September and will conclude in December 2025.
All registered participants will receive on the first day of activities the necessary instructions to access the classes, bibliography and discussion forums through the CLACSO Virtual Training Space.
Accessing and navigating the Virtual Learning Environment is very simple and user-friendly. In any case, a technical and academic support team will always be available. For inquiries, you can write to [email protected]
You must send an email with the request to [email protected] and we will send you the requested certificate as soon as possible.
Exceptional Criteria: In exceptional cases, and within the first 20 days of the start of the Advanced Diploma program, students may write to [email protected] requesting to withdraw and stating the reasons. After evaluation of the case, a response will be sent to the request. If approved, the student may resume the Advanced Diploma program if a new cohort is offered the following year. After this period has elapsed since the start of the course, no requests will be accepted.
Money paid will only be refunded in cases where the organizing institutions decide to cancel the activity.
Yes, the advanced diploma is certified by CLACSO. The diploma will be sent digitally and is completely free of charge.
Payment can be made in one installment, by credit card or bank transfer. We also offer the option of paying in 3 installments.
Yes. There will be discounts for students belonging to CLACSO Member Centers and CLACSO Associated Centers, for CLACSO Associate Researchers, and for all those who pay within the discount period.
You can check if you belong to a member center here:
The Advanced Diploma program integrates a dynamic of asynchronous and synchronous classes. Classes are primarily asynchronous. The schedule for synchronous sessions will be communicated by the Diploma coordinator at the beginning of the program, and participation in these sessions is not a prerequisite for passing the program.
Inquiries: WhatsApp: +54 9 11 3880 – 1388
Email: [email protected]
