Fostering student participation in disaster risk reduction through disaster video games

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), the New Zealand National Disaster Resilience Strategy and the Australian National Strategy for Disaster Resilience fully integrate the concept of education into the overall goal of disaster risk reduction (DRR). While the links between the two overarching strategies could be more significant, especially considering the social construction of disasters, the flexibility offered by both curricula to how teachers approach the subject allows for a stronger inclusion of DRR activities. While it is acknowledged that children are greatly affected by disasters, the perspectives of children are often the least heard and included in DRR. Research into the use of disaster video games as learning tools brings together the perspectives of teachers and students to consider how to foster children's participation in DRR and support the aims of the Sendai Framework. This paper summarises a video game research project using three series of case studies. This process has led to genuine and meaningful outcomes based on the needs of teachers and students and offers a potential pathway to address gaps in policy and practice to reduce the risks associated with disasters.