Special Collections:
Resiliency and Communities
The ITU and 12 partners developed the "Toolkit on Digital Transformation for People-Oriented Cities and Communities" to strengthen technical and institutional capacities for urban digital transformation. This toolkit connects technological solutions for urban operations, empowering authorities to adopt cutting-edge technologies for more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable societies.
It offers insights on international standards, guidance, and use-cases for emerging technologies like AI, alongside reports on digital transformation. Universally beneficial, the Toolkit supports cities, communities, regions, and countries regardless of their development level or status. An AI for Good Webinar will explore its benefits for driving digital transformation within the smart city ecosystem.
On April 14, 2011, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Center for Global Health and Development, College of Communication, and School of Public Health hosted an event exploring the collaboration and tension between journalists and public health workers during crises. Experts from global health, NGOs, and journalism discussed this critical dynamic.
A panel, "When Disaster Strikes: Reporting and Responding," was moderated by Jon Simon, Director of the Center for Global Health. Manolia Charlotin, editor and business manager of the Boston Haitian Reporter, was among the participants.
Facing uncertain times, RMI remains committed to its mission: creating a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon energy future.
In a virtual briefing, CEO Jules Kortenhorst, Managing Director Ting Li, and guests Carla Frisch and Uday Varadarajan will discuss how RMI's climate change initiatives continue amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Cities can build community wealth through green infrastructure, integrating worker cooperatives and social enterprises. This approach fosters sustainable economic development and local empowerment.
Our new report delves into these strategies. Learn more by accessing the full publication here: https://democracycollaborative.org/greeninfrastructure
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro discussed HUD's role in post-disaster community rebuilding. Following Hurricane Sandy, HUD's approach evolved from simply restoring communities to their prior state, to guiding them in building resilience for the future.
Secretary Castro expressed hope that current investments and initiatives, such as Rebuild By Design and the National Disaster Resilience Competition, will establish best practices. These examples, he noted, could then be adopted by states nationwide. (Published on Mar 16, 2015)
Andrew Zolli and Jonathan Rose discussed urban and community resilience at The Garrison Institute's Wisdom Holder's Circle Luncheon. The Institute applies contemplative practices to pressing social and environmental concerns, fostering a more compassionate and resilient future.
Mr. Zolli's book is available on Amazon or at local bookstores. This content was published on February 25, 2015.
Dr. Jack Ahern addressed the UMass Sustainable Living class.
His presentation focused on utilizing systems tools to integrate resilience into urban planning for sustainability.
Climate change poses significant, widespread disruptions to the American economy, threatening our health, safety, and prosperity. Immediate action from policymakers and businesses is vital to mitigate climate risk. This panel will highlight innovative public-private solutions, discussing how businesses, governments, and communities can collaborate for greater resilience.
Panelists include: Joel Beauvais (U.S. EPA), Pam O'Connor (City of Santa Monica), Harriet Tregoning (U.S. HUD), and Kate Dineen (NY Governor's Office of Storm Recovery).
This video explores how communities establish informal networks for insurance and protection. These networks help individuals manage distinctive risks and pool resources to confront common challenges.
Published on Oct 4, 2013.
RSA Spotlights presents an excerpt from the January 2015 event, 'How to Build Better, More Resilient Cities.' In this segment, Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation and a leading public thinker, shares groundbreaking research. She outlines a radical future where dynamic, resilient cities help individuals, companies, and societies avert disaster.
This video was published on February 20, 2015. You can watch the full event here on EarthSayers.tv's Investing and Sustainability special collection.
In a recent video interview, Klaus Jacob discussed the "Resilient New York" report, defining resilience, flood risk, managed retreat, intergenerational justice, and NYC's shortsighted climate plan. He highlighted that the report's climate projections (flood zones, sea level rise) only extend to 2050, despite the city's need for longer-term planning.
Jacob, a research scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia University professor, warned of New York's storm flooding vulnerabilities long before Hurricane Sandy. He has since become a central figure in post-Sandy discussions.
What will it take to build the future we want?
In September 2011, over 50 global leaders convened at Ecotrust in Portland.
They shared stories of challenges and hope for building a resilient future.
Raz Mason, a chaplain and founder of Mason Consulting, specializes in personal resilience and its connection to sustainability. She developed Warrior Wheel Training to support individuals in high-stress environments, including military and public safety personnel.
Her extensive background, encompassing chaplain residency at the Portland VA Medical Center, military officer training, and work in domestic violence agencies, reflects her commitment to those in demanding occupations. Mason holds an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, an MA from Seattle University, and a BA from Bryn Mawr College. She was interviewed by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv in Portland, Oregon, on October 7, 2011.
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The Thinking Game | Full documentary | Tribeca Film Festival official selection
“The Thinking Game” is the inside story of DeepMind's groundbreaking AI research, culminating in the Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold breakthrough. Filmed over five years by the award-winning team behind "AlphaGo," this documentary explores co-founder Demis Hassabis's lifelong pursuit of artificial general intelligence and the rigorous scientific journey from mastering strategy games to solving the 50-year-old protein folding problem.
Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, "The Thinking Game" is now available to watch for free. For those interested in hosting a screening for a classroom, community, or workplace, visit: rocofilms.com/films/the-thinking-game/.















