From ESWStanford
Over spring break, members of ESW will be traveling to Padung, Indonesia to lay the groundwork for our project establishing improved tsunami evacuation systems in the area. In preparation for our work, we are hosting an Indonesian culture night open to all members of the Stanford community. The workshop will feature the following:
- An introduction to our tsunami evacuation project in Padang, Indonesia (including information on how to get involved)
- Traditional Indonesian dinner catered by a Palo Alto restaurant
- A screening of Finding Higher Ground: A Year of Hope in the Heart of the Ring of Fire, a documentary about the struggle for recovery following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 (see description below)
All years, all majors, and all members of the Stanford community are welcome. No RSVP required, and dinner will be provided free of charge.
Finding Higher Ground: A Year of Hope in the Heart of the Ring of Fire:
In the wake of the devastating tsunami that rocked the world in December of 2004, an incredible movement developed made up of surfers, students, journalists and humanitarians from around the world.
Following the disaster, an unlikely group developed in Padang, Indonesia – center of the booming surfing industry in Sumatra. They went on to launch an extraordinary and highly effective series of do-it-yourself projects that ranged from daring first-response disaster relief to the clever rebuilding of local fishing economies through the re-supply of fleets of fishing canoes washed away by the killer wave.
Their efforts continue to this day…With Padang called the "most dangerous city in the world" for the next big earthquake and tsunami, the team developed an incredible community action movement that has organized over 50,000 people into direct action in West Sumatra.
Their struggle to organize the community has become a model in the region, but also an uphill battle against stubborn governments, a population that doesn't know the science, and a disgraceful lack of funding from the billions pledged for preparedness worldwide.
And for more information on our partner organization in Indonesia (GeoHazards International), check out the following link: http://www.ghi.com/
