- Young people from eligible Asia-Pacific countries are invited to apply for the Youth Leaders for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 Online Course.
- Participants will gain a strong foundation in disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and resilience, with a particular focus on tsunamis and other natural hazards in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The online course will run from 1-30 September 2026.
- Participants will engage in self-paced online modules, live webinars with experts and an online youth community.
- The course is offered free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Government and the People of Japan.
- Application deadline is 14 August 2026 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).
30 June 2026, Hiroshima, Japan - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) invites young people from participating countries across the Asia-Pacific region to apply to the free Youth Leaders for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 Online Course (1-30 September 2026). Through the course, participants will develop a stronger understanding of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience. The application deadline is 14 August 2026 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).
The course is open to young people from 14 Asia-Pacific countries (see participating countries below). Through interactive online learning and exchange with peers from across the region, participants will explore lessons from past disasters and consider how young people can contribute to building safer and more resilient communities.
In the 15th anniversary year of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the programme offers an opportunity for young leaders to learn from Japan's experiences and from disaster events across the Asia-Pacific region. They will also have the opportunity to connect with peers who share an interest in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The programme will be delivered in English. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an official UNITAR certificate of participation.
The training programme is offered free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Government and the People of Japan.
About the Course
The Youth Leaders for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 Online Course will run for four weeks, from 1 to 30 September 2026. Participants will work on self-paced online modules on their smartphones, tablets or computers, join live webinars with experts, and engage with each other through an online youth community platform.
The training aims to equip young leaders with knowledge and introduce them to real-world examples of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience. It will also encourage them to reflect on how these lessons can be applied in their own schools, communities and countries.
What Participants Will Learn
Participants will explore topics including:
- Introduction to disaster risk reduction, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
- Disaster experiences and preparedness initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region
- The role of youth in disaster preparedness and resilience
- Early warning systems, evacuation planning and emergency preparedness
- Climate change and its implications for disaster risk reduction
- Building resilient and inclusive communities and the concept of "build back better"
Participants will learn from case studies, virtual learning activities, short videos, interactive quizzes and practical examples from Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be young people aged 14 to 25.
- Reside in or be a national of one of the participating countries
- Have an interest in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, sustainable development, community engagement or related fields
- Be able to participate in English
Be able to dedicate approximately 1-2 hours per week to the online learning activities during the programme period
Participating Countries
The participating countries in this programme are:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must complete the online application form by 14 August 2026 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).
About UNITAR
Established in 1965, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the dedicated training arm of the United Nations. Its mission is to strengthen knowledge and skills through high-quality training, research and innovative learning solutions.
Through strategic partnerships and a global learning platform, UNITAR builds skills of individuals, and enhances capacities of institutions and organizations, particularly those in vulnerable contexts, to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future.
