Collective empowerment as a decision-making process

Whilst citizens can empower themselves, for example psychologically (drawing on internal strengths to make decisions) and politically (implementing knowledge to make decisions), empowerment by definition connects people and promotes collective decision-making. Empowerment, whilst a wide-ranging concept, is about increasing people’s autonomy and power, promoting proactive behaviour, expanding freedom of choice or action and enabling the ability to transform.

Cultural Factors: Power relations, Attitudes toward authorities, Social control

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, All disaster phases

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens, Active citizens

Recommendations:

• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action